There was a big explosion during Friday prayers in Peshawar, Pakistan. The blast occurred at the Jama Masjid in Kisakhani Bazaar, in which many people were reported to have been killed. A large number of people were offering prayers in the mosque at the time of the explosion. Local administration and security forces have laid siege to the area and relief work is going on. The injured are being taken to the hospital. No organization has taken responsibility for the attack yet. Peshawar has been a victim of terrorist attacks earlier. The police is investigating the case.
Terrorism related incidents in Pakistan are increasing rapidly. According to a recently released report, terrorist attacks increased by 73 percent in February. The most affected area of these attacks was Balochistan, where the incidents of terrorism are increasing. The recent Jafar Express train kidnapping in Balochistan has also made the situation even more frightening.
What happened in 2022?
At least 57 people were killed and around 200 others were injured in 2022 in a devastating suicide bomb blast at a crowded Shia Mosque during Friday prayers in north-western Pakistan. The most deadly attack in the disturbed region bordering Afghanistan took place at Jamia Mosque in Kissa Khwani Bazar in Peshawar.
Balochistan new base of terror
According to a report by the Islamabad -based Pakistan Peace Study Institute (PIPS), 121 people were killed and 103 injured in 54 terrorist attacks in Pakistan in February. 62 percent of these deaths occurred in Balochistan, which shows that this area is now becoming a stronghold of terrorism.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is also not untouched by terrorism.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was also badly affected by terrorism. In February, there were 30 terrorist attacks in which 45 people were killed and 58 were injured. The Pakistani government alleges that there are terrorist organizations like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, Lashkar-e-Islam and Islamic State-Khursan (IS-K) behind the attack.
The growing terrorism in Pakistan has created a serious challenge for the internal security of the country. These attacks, especially in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, show that extremist groups in Pakistan are getting stronger. How to stop this violence and how to establish peace in these areas has become a big challenge for the government.
