Peshawar blast: KP observes day of mourning as death toll mounts to 101

• A day of mourning was observed across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
• People strongly condemned the terror act and inquired after injured cops
• IG KP said so far 101 worshippers had been martyred

PESHAWAR: A day of mourning was observed across the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Tuesday as the death toll from the suicide bombing at the mosque in Police Lines crossed 101.

The KP government observed a day of mourning to express solidarity with the blast victims. The National flag was kept at half-mast at all government and private buildings.

The people in large numbers gathered at the residences of the martyrs to express condolences to their families and offer fateha for their departed souls.

A sorrowful day was witnessed across the province particularly in Charsadda, Nowsehra, Swabi, Mardan, and Peshawar as most of the martyred cops belonged to these areas. People from all walks of life strongly condemned the terror act and visited LRH to inquire after the injured cops.

Inspector General of Police KP Moazam Jah Ansari said that so far 101 worshippers had been martyred. Lady Reading Hospital Spokesperson said some 53 injured were still admitted to different wards, including seven in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Talking to media at the blast site earlier in the day, Caretaker Chief Minister Muhammad Azam Khan said the martyred included mostly policemen while 221 injured were under treatment in various hospitals.

He said the government had constituted a high-level inquiry committee to investigate and identify the elements involved in the inhuman act.

Azam Khan said the government stood by the blast victims and their families in the hour of tribulation and would provide them all facilities, including financial assistance. The process for payment of compensation to the families of the deceased and injured was underway, he added.

Later addressing the police personnel at the police lines, the chief minister said the police force would be equipped with modern weapons.

He said the worsening law and order situation of the province had also been brought to the notice of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

IGP Moazam Jah said about 10 to12 kilograms of explosives were used in the blast. The bomber blew himself up at around 1 p.m. during Zuhar prayers, and as a result, the roof of the mosque caved in burying the worshippers in its debris.

He said the aspect of the security lapse could not be overlooked and investigations were underway to ascertain the facts. “We are checking CCTV footage of the last month to trace the facilitators of the bomber.”

A joint investigation team (JIT) had been notified and everything would be clear soon after the completion of the probe, he said. “Those responsible will be brought to book,” he vowed.

The IGP said over 2,000 personnel worked in eight different departments at the Police Lines. Besides, a large number of civilians daily visited the Police Lines, which also encompassed family quarters. Moreover, labourers also entered the site as the construction work was also going on there, he added.

Federal Minister for Health Abdul Qadir Patel and Secretary Health Punjab contacted KP Governor Ghulam Ali and offered healthcare facilities, including doctors and medicines, from Islamabad, Punjab, and Sindh for the injured persons.

Governor Ghulam Ali expressed gratitude to the federal minister and the Secretary Health Punjab for their sympathies and humanitarian support.

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