Suicide attack perpetrated in a religious compound in Peshawar

Havana, Jan 31 (RHC) Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on Tuesday expressed "heartfelt condolences" to the people and government of Pakistan for the loss of human lives due to the attack on a mosque.

In his Twitter account, the Cuban Foreign Minister extended the message to the families and relatives of the more than 90 fatal victims, as well as to those injured the day before in the suicide attack perpetrated in a religious compound in Peshawar, in the northwest of the Asian nation.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) terrorist organization claimed responsibility for the attack, which took place inside the temple located within a heavily fortified compound that includes the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial police headquarters and the offices of the Anti-Terrorism Department.

It is estimated that 400 people were present in the mosque and about 200 were injured. Most of the dead were police officers.

According to security officials, the suicide bomber was in the front row during the Zuhr (afternoon) prayer when he detonated a bomb at that shrine in the provincial capital.

According to police reports, the mosque's imam, Sahibzada Noor Ul Amin, was also killed in the blast.

Rescue operations continued Tuesday and the provincial health department declared an emergency in the Peshawar district, issuing a call for blood donations and asking all medical personnel to remain on duty.

After the deadly blast, the provincial government announced a day of mourning, and a high alert was declared in the federal capital, the Islamabad police informed. (Source: PL)