Peshawar Police Station Blast Kills at Least 59 People, Injures Over 170 in Pakistan

Islamabad, Pakistan - A suicide blast tore through a mosque in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar during afternoon prayers on Monday, killing at least 59 people and injuring over 170, according to officials.

The blast occurred inside the Police Lines area, which houses police and security personnel along with their families. Many of the victims were police officers, who were attending the mosque for prayers.

The explosion reportedly caused the mosque's roof to collapse, trapping people inside. Rescue workers are still searching for survivors amid the wreckage. The death toll is expected to rise as more bodies are recovered.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but authorities suspect the involvement of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a banned militant group that has been waging an insurgency against the Pakistani government for years.

The TTP has a history of carrying out attacks on security forces and civilians in Pakistan. In recent months, the group has stepped up its attacks, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where Peshawar is located.

The bombing has been widely condemned by Pakistani officials and international leaders. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his condolences to the victims' families and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The attack has raised concerns about the security situation in Pakistan, which has been plagued by terrorism and political instability for decades. The country has been struggling to contain the resurgence of militant groups, who have taken advantage of the political turmoil and economic crisis to increase their activities.

The international community has also expressed its condolences and offered support to Pakistan in the wake of the attack. The United States, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations have condemned the bombing and called for those responsible to be held accountable.

The attack is a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by Pakistan in its fight against terrorism and extremism. The country will need to take decisive action to address the underlying factors that contribute to these attacks, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of education.