Tragic! Explosion in Pakistan mosque kills 59, injures over 150 [VIDEO]

An explosion in a mosque in Peshawar city, Pakistan, has killed at least 59 people and left about 157 injured.

Reports on Monday revealed that the explosion appeared to target security operatives as the mosque is within an area also housing a police headquarters area.

According to a local news site, Dawn, police officials said the incident was a suicide attack.

CCTV footage released later in the day showed a lone attacker approaching the mosque on foot and brandishing a pistol.

🔴 BREAKING:

🇵🇰 At least 20 people have been killed in the city of #Peshawar after a suicide bomber detonated his vest at a mosque located next to a police station.

At least 80 people have been wounded.@ShahZaib_Wahlah is following the story from #Islamabad ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/JRodWCkvUk

— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) January 30, 2023

Video Credit: France 24

The report added that the attacker opened fire on police personnel deployed outside the main entrance for security before running inside.

He then opened fire on a man who tried to stop him and managed to enter the mosque, where worshippers had gathered for prayers, after which an explosion took place.

Police commissioner, Riaz Mehsood, said a rescue operation was ongoing inside the mosque as a number of people were buried under the rubble.

“An emergency has been imposed at hospitals across the city and injured persons are being provided the best medical facilities,” Mehsood said.

A police official, Muhammad Khan, said the roof of the mosque collapsed after the blast.

He added that the main hall of the mosque which had a capacity of 250 to 300 people had collapsed but the rest of the building was still intact.

Videos on social media also showed the impact of the blast as parts of the mosque had caved in.

Khan said between 300 to 400 police personnel were present in the area at the time of the blast.

No group has said it carried out the attack, but reports have attributed the incident to the Pakistan Taliban.

Last March, Peshawar was the target of another bombing, which killed dozens in a Shia mosque.