12 killed in Shama Cinema blast in Peshawar

Three explosions occurred inside Shama Cinema in Peshawar on Tuesday, Express News reported. The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) condemned the blast and claimed that they had nothing to do with it. Twelve people were killed and 23 injured in three hand grenade explosions inside the Shama Cinema in Peshawar. Security forces and the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) reached the scene shortly after the incident. Rescue teams reached the location and the injured were taken to Lady Reading Hospital for treatment. At least 50 people were inside the cinema hall at the time of the explosion. Shama Cinema According to sources in the city, the cinema was once owned by senior minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour. The cinema, it is believed, is now managed by close relatives of the Bilour brothers. When contacted by The Express Tribune in 2011, Aziz Ahmed Bilour said he had been busy doing public service in Islamabad since he left Peshawar two decades ago. He said he has not gone to the cinema since then. Aziz also insisted he does not own any cinema and does not know who owns the Shama Cinema. The cinema was known for showing pornographic films in one of its auditoriums.

End of live updates

5:15pm At least three of the injured were in critical condition.

4:51pm "Initially we can say two blasts inside one of the halls of Shama cinema were caused by hand grenades," senior police official Najibur Rehman said. "Ten people were killed and 16 others were wounded in the attack," he added, speaking to AFP. An official at Peshawar's Lady Reading Hospital, Syed Jameel Shah, confirmed the death toll.

4:45pm President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the bomb blasts, according to a report by Radio Pakistan. The cinema was reportedly receiving threats but no security arrangements had been made.

4:40pm CCPO Peshawar told media that three China-made hand grenades were used in the attack. He said that the hospital has confirmed that 8 people are dead and another 23 are injured. Varying reports came in with regards to the death toll which was earlier said to be 16. There were also some reports that the injury toll could be higher. The CCPO also said that the first blast occurred at 3:40pm.

4:30pm A rescue official said that 10 people were killed. Earlier it was reported that 16 people had been killed in the blasts.

4:26pm The Bomb Disposal Squad conducted a search operation inside the cinema. The blast occurred in Hall B where at least 50 people were watching a film.

4:17pm The cinema was cordoned off by the police and no one was being allowed inside. Emergency was declared at Lady Reading Hospital, where the injured were taken for treatment.

4:08pm The number of deceased increased to 16 and the injured to 22, according to rescue sources.

4:05pm The death toll has increased to 3 and 20 others are injured. Journalists tweet about the incident:

4:01pm One person was killed and at least 15 were injured.

3:55pm Blast heard in Peshawar.