PESHAWAR: At least five persons were dead and 50 others injured in a blast occurred inside the Tableegi Markaz during the evening prayers where thousands of worshippers were present in the Markaz.

According to initial report by the SSP Najeeb-ur-Rehman, five bodies were received at the Lady Reading Hospital while more than 50 persons were injured. The police have yet to confirm that it is a cylinder blast or explosive material planted inside main mosque.

Soon after the blast, the officials of the security forces cordoned off the area as no media persons were allowed inside the main Markaz. When DMS of the Lady Reading Hospital Dr. Arif was contacted, he also confirmed that five persons were dead in the blast while more than 50 others were injured.

Talking to news men, former Information Minister Mian Iftikhar visited the Markaz soon after the blast and condemned the heinous crime against peaceful worshipers. He said that those involved in the incident have nothing with a religion, caste or creed.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and information minister strongly condemned of the blast.