ICC Note:

Members of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) have claimed responsibility for a terrorist attack outside of a mosque that has killed at least 22 and injured more than 70 people. Early Friday, members of the TTP left a car packed with explosives near the women’s entrance of a mosque as people arrived for prayer. In addition to the mosque, shops and vehicles nearby were damaged in the explosion. Terrorism continues to create an environment of fear and danger in Pakistan.

3/31/2017 Pakistan (BBC) – At least 22 people have been killed and more than 70 injured in a blast outside a mosque in northwest Pakistan.

The explosion happened in the city of Parachinar, a mainly Shia Muslim area on the Afghan border.

Reports say a car packed with explosives was left near the women’s entrance of the mosque as people gathered for Friday prayers.

The Pakistani Army has sent a helicopter to help take the injured to hospital.

A doctor at a local hospital said an appeal was being made for blood donors to help treat the wounded.

“Patients are being brought to us in private cars and ambulances and we have received over three dozen patients so far,” the doctor told Reuters news agency.

Shops and vehicles close to the mosque were damaged in the powerful blast.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack, saying his government would keep working to “eliminate the menace of terrorism”.

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