Over 50 killed in Pakistan church bombings

Two suicide bombers on Sunday morning blew themselves up near a church in Pakistan’s Peshawar city when worshippers gathered for Sunday prayers, killing at least 56 people and injuring more than 70, media reports said.

Geo News said Peshawar Police Commissioner Sahibzada Anees confirmed the toll.

It was the worst terror attack on a minorities’ gathering in the country.

Anees put the figure of those injured at 45, reported Xinhua.

The Dawn News put the toll at 43, and the number of injured at 70.

A policeman, four women and four children were among those killed.

The attack took place around 11.45 a.m. Two suicide bombers blew themselves up at a church in the Qissa Khawani market area when people were leaving the church after prayers, Xinhua reported citing officials.

The victims were shifted to the Lady Reading Hospital.

About 300 people were at the site when the attack took place.

Earlier reports said that it was a single suicide blast, but bomb disposal squad officials later confirmed it was twin suicide bombings and the body parts of the two attackers were found at the site.

An estimated eight kg of explosives were used in the attack, said bomb disposal squad officials.

So far no group has claimed the responsibility for the attack yet.

Both Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif have condemned the attack.

IANS