Bomb blast at mosque in Pakistan during Friday prayers, 15 killed

A massive explosion has occurred at a mosque in the Pakistani capital Islamabad. At least 15 people have been killed, local authorities said. At least 80 worshippers have been seriously injured.

Some walls of the mosque have also collapsed. The explosion took place during Friday prayers at the Khadija-Tul Kubra Mosque in the Tarlai area of ​​southeast Islamabad on Friday (February 6), The Dawn reported.

According to the local district administration, more than 1,200 police and rescue workers immediately rushed to the site after receiving the news of the explosion. Many more volunteers and fire service workers are carrying out rescue operations at the site. The explosion occurred at a time when Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is in Islamabad on a two-day visit.

Islamabad police spokesman Taqi Jawad said that the motive for the explosion has not yet been identified. It was not immediately known whether it was a suicide bomb or a planned bomb attack. The forensic team has been informed about this. They will work on the matter.

The district administration spokesperson said that the area where the bomb exploded has been completely cordoned off. Public movement is being controlled. The injured have been quickly rescued and admitted to nearby hospitals. An emergency situation has been declared in several hospitals including the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and CDA Hospital for their treatment.

Earlier, in November last year, at least 12 people were killed and many more were injured in a suicide bomb attack at the entrance of the Islamabad District Judicial Complex.