By Islamuddin Sajid
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA): At least seven children were killed and 123 others wounded on Tuesday in an explosion at a religious seminary in northwestern Pakistan, an official said.
The bomb went off in Jamia Zuberia [Zubairia] madrasah Dir colony of Peshawar city, Bilal Faizi, spokesman of rescue service 1122, told Anadolu Agency.
All of the injured have been shifted to Lady Reading Hospital and some of them are in critical condition, he added.
Footage shared by rescue officials showed a huge explosion that tore down a large part of the mosque.
Police said that around 40-50 children were present inside the madrasah when the bomb went off.
The seminary’s administration said around 1,100 students study at the institution and added that students between the ages of 22 and 28 were present in the class at the time of the explosion.
[Zubairia Madrasah where explosion killed 7 children and injured many in Peshawar NW Pakistan on October 27, 2020. Photographer: Hussain Ali/ Anadolu Agency]
Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Shafqat Malik reported that 5 kilograms of explosives were used.
Prime Minister Imran Khan said he was “deeply saddened by the terrorist attack”. “My condolences go to the victims’ families and prayers for early recovery of the injured,” he tweeted. “I want to assure my nation we will ensure the terrorists responsible for this cowardly barbaric attack are brought to justice as soon as possible,” he tweeted.
The European Union’s (EU) Ambassador to Pakistan, Androulla Kaminara, said she was “totally horrified” and categorically condemned the attack.
“My heart goes out to the parents whose children have been hurt and prayers for speedy recovery. Condolences 4 lives lost,” she tweeted.
“The blast took place in the madrasah during a Qur’an class. Someone took a bag inside the seminary,” Waqar Azim, a senior police official, told AFP.
No group has so far claimed responsibility for the attack.
Additional report by The Muslim News
[Photo: Crime scene investigation units work at the attack site after an explosion at Zubairia Madrasah in Peshawar, northwestern Pakistan on October 27, 2020. Photographer: Hussain Ali/AA]
