Prime Minister Sharif and Former PM Khan Condemn Deadly Peshawar Attack, Vowing Stern Action Against Perpetrators

Auf einen Blick

• At least 61 people were killed and 150 wounded in a suicide bomb attack in Peshawar, Pakistan
• Both the Pakistani and Afghan Taliban have condemned the attack and denied involvement
• The attack is believed to have been carried out by Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a splinter faction of the Pakistani Taliban
• The fall of Kabul 18 months ago is believed to have emboldened the Taliban to resume their ‘violent insurrection’ in Pakistan
• The Pakistani government has admitted to major security lapses that led to the bomber entering the mosque
• Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former Prime Minister Imran Khan have visited those injured and have vowed to take stern action against those responsible
• The US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, has also voiced his condolences
• Check points have been reinforced and extra security forces deployed, however observers fear Pakistan is spiralling into an economic crisis and the attack may lead to further violence

Die Details

At least 61 killed and 150 wounded in suicide bomb attack

At least 61 people were killed and 150 wounded in a suicide bomb attack on a mosque inside a police compound in north-west Pakistan on Monday.

The Pakistani and Afghan Taliban have both condemned the attack and denied involvement. The attack is thought to be the most deadly Taliban strike on Pakistan’s state in nine years.

Emergency services rushed to dig victims out of the rubble of the destroyed wall and collapsed roof of the mosque, located in Peshawar, the provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The attack has been attributed to Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a splinter faction of the Pakistani Taliban.

Pakistani Province Vulnerable to Terrorist Attacks

The Pakistani Taliban led a ‘violent insurgency’ from the early 2000s to overthrow the government in Islamabad and the fall of Kabul 18 months ago is believed to have emboldened them to renew their own campaign.

Pakistan is also home to many other militant groups, such as a local branch of the Islamic State, who have carried out deadly bombings throughout the country.

The authorities have admitted to major security lapses that led to the bomber entering the mosque, which was located in a highly sensitive police compound housing intelligence and counter-terrorism offices.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and former Prime Minister Imran Khan have visited those injured in the bombing and have vowed stern action against those responsible.

International Condemnation

The US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, tweeted his condolences and said the bombing was a “horrific attack” and that “terrorism for any reason at any place is indefensible.”

The violence has put the country on high alert, with check points reinforced and extra security forces deployed.

However, observers fear Pakistan is spiralling into an economic crisis and the attack may lead to further violence in an already fragile and volatile situation.