Seven killed, over 70 hurt as bomb targets Islamic school in Peshawar
PESHAWAR: At least seven students died and more than 100 were injured on Tuesday when a bomb ripped through an Islamic school in Peshawar’s Dil Colony.
The death toll is feared to go up as most of the injured are said to be in critical condition.
According to investigations revealed that the time-bomb was planted inside a bag that was placed in the study hall of Jamia Zuberia, Peshawar.
There were nearly 1,000 children in the seminary at the time of the blast. Majority of the victims are children and instructors as the blast took place during classes at the religious school. According to AFP, teachers and boys as young as 7 were among the wounded.
The injured were moved to Lady Reading Hospital where at least five are in critically wounded. LRH officials confirmed receiving at least seven bodies and over 70 injured. Another 36 were shifted to Naseerullah Babar Memorial Hospital.
KP Health Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra also confirmed the death toll.
“Just back from a quick visit to Lady Reading Hospital, following the blast at a Madrassa in Dir Colony, Peshawar. Talked to the Chief Secretary, CCPO and the DC, as well as hospital administration. LRH has received 70 injured, with 7 patients dead on arrival.”
“There are patients at other hospitals, but the majority are being treated at LRH; the hospital administration is dealing with the situation professionally. Our focus is to provide the best possible care to all the injured. The dept is coordinating between different hospitals.”
The CCPO has confirmed that preliminary onsite investigations show explosives being used. Let us pray for the lives lost, and redouble our efforts to maintain the safety and security of this beautiful country, province and city.”
No group has claimed responsibility of the attack.
“Most of those killed and injured were hit by the ball bearings and some were badly burnt,” hospital official Muhammad Asim Khan told AFP. All of the dead were men aged between 20 and 40, he said.
Condemnations
Prime Minister Imran Khan strongly condemned the incident and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Condemning the incident, KP Minister Shaukat Yousufzai said Chief Minister Mahmood Khan had summoned a meeting to discuss the security situation. He revealed that Quetta and Peshawar were on threat alert following which security had been heightened.
Yousufzai said the seminary staff and children were soft targets. “Terrorists always aim for soft targets. This area has been peaceful for a long time,” he said.
Federal Information Minister Shibli Faraz also condemned the attack and promised to “bury those with nefarious intentions to destablise the country”.
Terming it a “heartbreaking incident”, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice-president Maryam Nawaz condoled with the victims and their families.
“Very sorry to hear about the blast & casualties in Peshawar,” wrote PML-N leader Ahsan Iqbal. “Terrorists, who had been defeated, are again hitting us because Imran Khan has pitched security apparatus against the opposition instead of terrorists.”
“National Action Plan has been forgotten. Ministry of Interior is an extension of NAB.”
“Once again children are targeted,” wrote Federal Minister for Science and Technology Fawad Chaudhry. “In this war, soldiers, politicians scholars, lawyers, doctors and people from all walks of life have sacrificed their blood.”
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar also condemned the incident.
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