Pakistan mosque explosion claims dozens of lives

According to a hospital official, an explosion in Peshawar, Pakistan's northwest, resulted in at least 59 deaths and more than 150 injuries.

According to police officer Siddique Khan, the perpetrator detonated his bomb while among the worshipers. Officials reported that 27 of the fatalities were police officers.

Image caption,A man, still wearing his police uniform, receiving treatment in hospital in Peshawar

A man in a police uniform receiving medical attention in a Peshawar hospital

The Pakistan Taliban (Tehreek-e-Taliban, or TTP), led by Sarbakaf Mohmand, first claimed credit for the attack on Twitter.

However, hours later, TTP spokesman Mohammad Khurasani denied any involvement in the bombing, claiming that it was against the group's policy to attack mosques, seminaries, and other places of worship. His made no mention of the reason a TTP commander had taken credit for the bombing.

According to a TTP statement, "Tehreek-e-Taliban has nothing to connection with this attack."

In the northwestern city, close to the nation's border with Afghanistan, the explosion happened at 13:30 (08:30 GMT) during afternoon prayers.

A wall collapsed in half, according to a video that was shared on social media and confirmed by the BBC. People scrambled over the rubble to leave the mosque, which was coated in bricks and other debris.

More bodies are being removed from the mosque while the rescue effort goes on, according to Shafiullah Khan, deputy commissioner of Peshawar city.

Mr. Khan continued, "Right now, saving lives of those trapped under the rubble is our top concern."