Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Mar 5: The Islamic State (IS) claimed the responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed at least 56 people at a Shiite mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan on March 4.
The transnational jihadist group said on its Aaq propaganda site, “Today Friday, an Islamic State fighter succeeded in assaulting a Shiite mosque in Peshawar.”
According to Pakistan daily DAWN, officials said the blast occurred at a Jamia mosque in Qissa Khwani bazaar area when the worshippers were offering Friday prayers. Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Peshawar Ijaz Ahsan confirmed one police official was also martyred in the explosion.
The devastating incident occurred on the opening day of a cricket Test match between Pakistan and Australia in Rawalpindi, about 190 kilometres (120 miles) to the east. Australia had not toured Pakistan in nearly a quarter-century due to security concerns.
