Hangu mosque bombing
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (September 2023) |
| Date | 29 September 2023 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Mosque in Hangu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa |
| Location | Doaba, Hangu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan |
| Coordinates | 33°25′35″N 70°44′25″E / 33.42639°N 70.74028°E |
| Type | Suicide bombing |
| Cause | Explosive belt |
| Deaths | 5 |
| Non-fatal injuries | 5-12 |
| Property damage | Mosque collapsed |
On 29 September 2023, a bomb exploded inside a mosque during Friday prayers in Doaba, Hangu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The blast killed five people and left six people with injuries. The attack occurred hours after a similar attack on a religious procession in Mastung in neighboring Balochistan Province that killed at least 50 people.[1]
Attack
A vehicle filled with explosives was stopped at the entrance of a mosque in Hangu. One of the attackers was stopped at the gate as they attempted to enter the mosque and was rendered unable to carry out their plan. This mosque is located within a police facility. This event occurred shortly after a similar incident in the Mastung district of Balochistan province.[2] The mosque was crowded with approximately 30 to 40 worshippers at the time of the blast.[3][4][5]
Police said two men on bikes started shooting at police personnel outside the Hangu mosque, after which one of them detonated an explosive close to the mosque’s entrance, while the other blew himself up inside the building.[6]
Casualties
The blast killed five people and critically injured six others. Several others were trapped after the mosque's roof collapsed due to the force of the explosion. Most worshippers managed to escape after hearing the first explosion.[1] The District Police Officer (DPO) of the city confirmed that the explosion occurred within the jurisdiction of the Doaba police station.[7]
Response
Immediately following the incident, a rapid and extensive rescue operation was launched.[4] The critically injured victims were promptly transported to nearby hospitals to receive urgent medical treatment and care.[8]
Investigation
Officials are looking into what happened. Currently, no specific group has acknowledged carrying out the attack.[8]
Reactions
The Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan denied involvement in the blast.[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c Hussain, Abid (September 29, 2023). "At least five killed as another blast hits Pakistan on prophet's birthday". Aljazeera.
- ^ "Blast in Pakistan's Balochistan kills at least 50". 29 September 2023.
- ^ "Three worshippers martyred in Hangu mosque blast". Samaa TV. September 29, 2023.
- ^ a b "2 dead, five injured as blast rips through Hangu mosque". The Nation. September 29, 2023.
- ^ "Blast rips through mosque in Hangu police station". The Express Tribune. September 29, 2023.
- ^ "At least 52 killed after blast rips through a religious procession in restive southwest Pakistan". CNN. 29 September 2023.
- ^ "Suicide blast inside Hangu mosque kills 4, injures around 12". www.thenews.com.pk.
- ^ a b "At least 52 killed after blast rips through religious procession in restive southwest Pakistan". CNN. 29 September 2023.