Mosque blast in Pakistan claims 92 lives, death toll continues to rise

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (TechtUSA) - The CNN has reported that The number of fatalities in the mosque bombing in northwestern Pakistan, believed to be a suicide attack, has increased to 92, making it one of the deadliest incidents in the country in recent years amid what is being referred to as a national security crisis.

The Taliban in Pakistan has refuted any connection to the incident, after an initial statement of responsibility was made by one of its leaders.

PM Shehbaz Sharif stated that the attackers aim to spread fear by targeting those who safeguard Pakistan, and declared a national day of mourning.

The explosion occurred at 1:30 PM during afternoon prayers in the northwestern city close to the Afghanistan border.

Shabbir Afridi, a 40-year-old government worker who was close to the mosque during the attack, described the explosion as loud and causing him to fall to the ground. Upon running towards the mosque, he saw dust and numerous bodies scattered about.

The mosque was nearly at capacity with over 300 worshippers present at the time of the explosion in Police Lines, a securely guarded area with important government and military structures, including a counterterrorism department office. Authorities are examining how the suicide bomber was able to bypass multiple security checkpoints to reach the mosque.

A hospital representative confirmed over 100 people are still injured. Funerals have taken place for over 20 police officers with their coffins covered in the Pakistan flag.

Pakistan's national security reportedly deteriorating

According to CNN, the recent explosion is evidence of the declining security situation in Peshawar, the capital of the troubled Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province near Afghanistan and frequent target of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP).

This attack occurred during a vulnerable time for Pakistan, which is struggling with a cost-of-living crisis due to food and fuel shortages affecting its 220 million population.