Responsibility of the massive blast in a Peshawar mosque, one of the deadliest explosion in Pakistan’s history which claimed at least 96 lives, was denied by banned militant outfit in the country Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hours after it claimed the liability.
In a Twitter post, a commander of the armed group, Sarbakaf Mohmand, claimed responsibility for Monday’s attack, also one of the deadliest on security forces of Pakistan.
Mohmand is the brother of slain TTP commander Umar Khalid Khurasani, according to reports.
He claimed that the suicide attack was part of the revenge attack for his brother who was killed last August in Afghanistan.
But more than 10 hours later, TTP spokesperson Mohammad Khurasani distanced the group from the bombing, saying it was not its policy to target mosques or other religious sites.
Khurasani’s statement also added that those taking part in such acts could face punitive action under TTP’s policy. His statement did not address why a TTP commander had claimed responsibility for the bombing, reports Turkish media TRT World.
The TTP’s denial came after the Afghan Foreign Ministry condemned attacks on worshippers as contrary to the teachings of Islam.
Last year on March 4, a deadly suicide bomb blast acknowledged by Islamic State (IS) shook Peshawar, as a Shia mosque in Kocha Risaldar area claimed 63 lives along with more than 200 injuries.
On October 27, 2020, a timed device killed at least eight madrasha students and about 120 others wounded at White Mosque located in Dir Colony on Ring Road area of the city.
Earlier on June 21, 2013, Suicide bomber killed 15 at a Peshawar mosque.
