ISLAMABAD -UNS:At least five people were killed while 12 sustained injuries when two suicide blasts rocked a mosque located inside the premises of the Doaba police station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Hangu on Friday, according to KP interim Information Minister Feroze Jamal.
In a statement, the minister said that two suicide bombers, traveling in a vehicle, managed to reach the mosque but were met with resistance by the police officers stationed at the mosque entrance.
He explained, “One of the attackers was killed in a shootout with the police outside the mosque, while the other managed to penetrate the worship place.”
Jamal went on to mention that two officers were also injured during the exchange of fire, adding that the prompt response of the police led to the evacuation of worshippers upon hearing gunfire.
He emphasised that the damage could have been significantly worse if strong resistance was not shown by the police.
Separately, Hangu District Police Officer Nisar Ahmed confirmed the casualties and injuries to Dawn.com.
He said the first blast took place at the entrance of the police station after which a number of people gathered at the site. “A few minutes later, another blast occurred inside a mosque situated in the premises of the police station.”
DPO Ahmed said the second blast took place during the Friday sermon. “The roof of the mosque caved in due to the impact of the explosion,” the official stated, adding that nearly 30 to 40 people were reported to be stuck under the rubble.
The official further said that heavy machinery had been called to retrieve the bodies and wounded persons.
Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Faizi told Dawn.com that six of the injured individuals were in critical condition and were currently receiving treatment.
