Police at prayer as suicide bomber strikes mosque

A suicide bomber killed at least 59 people and wounded more than 150 at a mosque in the north-western city of Peshawar. The Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, took responsibility for the attack, claiming it was revenge for a fighter killed in Afghanistan last year.

The bomb was detonated as 300 worshippers – including many police officers from nearby offices – were praying. The explosion brought down the roof of the mosque, said Zafar Khan, a police officer. Rescuers had scrambled to get to worshippers trapped under the rubble, police said. Shahbaz Sharif, the prime minister, ordered authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for survivors. He also vowed “stern action” against the perpetrators.