A devastating explosion struck a mosque in Hangu, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as confirmed by local officials on Friday, resulting in three casualties, including a policeman, and leaving 12 others injured.
The incident occurred within the precincts of Police Station Doaba during the Friday sermon, a time when a large congregation gathers at the mosque for their weekly prayers.
Nisar Ahmed, the District Police Officer of Hangu, reported that an estimated 30-40 people were trapped under the debris as the mosque’s roof collapsed. A rescue operation was immediately initiated to save those trapped.
Ahmed further disclosed that the attack involved two suicide bombers: one targeted the entrance gate of the police station, while the other detonated explosives inside the mosque.
The 12 individuals rescued from the rubble have been swiftly transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
Responding to the tragic incident, the caretaker Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azam Khan, directed officials to declare a state of emergency in all city hospitals. He also requested a comprehensive report on the blast from law enforcement agencies.
According to police officials, the assailants attempted to breach the police station’s entrance, initiating gunfire at the gate. In the ensuing exchange of fire, one of the terrorists was neutralized by the police.
Additionally, two police officers sustained injuries during the gunfight. It was revealed that the other militant detonated himself inside the mosque.
Prompt action by the police played a crucial role in minimizing casualties following the explosion, as stated by law enforcement authorities.
This marked the second terrorist attack to strike Pakistan in a single day. Earlier, in Balochistan’s Mastung district, a suicide blast claimed the lives of at least 35 people, including a police officer, and injured over 45 individuals. This attack occurred near a mosque where people had gathered to commemorate Eid Miladun Nabi, the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
For the past year, Pakistan has grappled with a surge in terror attacks, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where militants have targeted security forces and civilians in an effort to destabilize peace.
Despite these challenges, Pakistani security forces remain committed to conducting operations against terrorists to eradicate terrorism from the country and honor the sacrifices of its brave soldiers.
A recent report from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) highlighted a sharp increase in militant attacks across the country in August, with 99 terror incidents recorded. This marked the highest number of attacks in a single month since November 2014, resulting in 112 deaths and 87 injuries, with security forces personnel and civilians bearing the brunt of the violence.
