A bereaved relative mourns the loss of his loved ones following the blast at Hussania Madrassah. PHOTO: SAMEER RAZIQ/EXPRESS
The accident and emergency unit was swarmed with members of the Hazara community grieving over the loss of their loved ones in the suicide attack on Hussania Madrassah, which claimed 15 lives and injured at least 27 others.
Visitors wailed as they stood outside the surgical ward and mortuary, while women – mothers, sisters and wives – were kept away from the bodies. Many were in shock with friends asking them to remain calm, saying nothing was under their control.
Four members of a family belonging to the Hazara community from Afghanistan, and living on Dalazak Road for decades, were among the dead. “We have lost four of our family members in today’s blast. This is the worst day during our stay in Peshawar for the last 22 years. They (the victims) were only there to offer Friday prayers as they had their carpet business nearby,” said one bereaved relative. The ill-fated carpet weavers were identified as Muhammad Zaman, Muhammad Daud, Mehdi and Ali Ahmad.
Six of the injured are said to be in critical condition, while three suffering from chest injuries and the others from burn injuries. They are currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU) of LRH. The injured also include six children who were said to be in stable condition.
“I was reciting the Holy Quran inside the Madrassah when I heard firing and then a bullet struck me on my leg. Soon after the firing there was a huge blast and I thought the roof had collapsed. Everyone was screaming and body parts lay everywhere,” said Jarar, one of the injured undergoing treatment at the hospital.
A witness, requesting anonymity, said he was a few steps from the Madrassah when he saw a young man clad in black clothes open fire at the security guard standing at the gate. The bomber then entered the mosque and detonated the explosive vest tied around his waist, he added.
A relative of one of the injured, Syed Nasir Hussain said he didn’t understand why terrorists were attacking religious places. “At one time they said their demands were met, but then they started their notorious activities [again].”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2013.
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@ Babar You are right. But who cares about providing the much needed legal and material protection to Shias and minorities in a country where hatred against them is promoted and patronized at both official and private levels. This my everyday observation.
@challenger: Exactly. Taliban and LeJ massacred thousands of hazara in Mazar e Sharif well before any drone strike or foreign military presence.
Someone Please tell IK and PTI that killing of Hazaras and Women has nothing to do with drones! These are VERY specific targets which will continue no matter if American's leave the entire Asia!!!! Theses killers must be brought to Justice!
These religous fanatics and terrorist must be eliminated - even if the wholeof Pakistan has to be droned. Life has become miserable for Hazaras, Shias and Ahmedis and other other minorities in Pakistan!!! Imran Khan are you listening or doing your "dharna" . Nawaz Sharif are you listening? Both of you are an insult to Pakistan as both of you are allies of terrorists!!!! Shame on you and your leadership!!!!