E-Paper | October 20, 2026

Peshawar mosque blast suspects arrested

Zahir Shah Sherazi Published June 22, 2013

PESHAWAR: Law enforcement agencies have arrested two suspects involved in a gun-and-bomb attack on Friday which killed 15 people at a mosque in Peshawar.

At least three attackers had stormed the Madrassa Hussainia mosque and Imambargah on Friday in a largely Shia neighbourhood in the city's suburbs. The deadly assault left at least 15 worshipers dead as one of the attackers detonated his suicide vest.

Sources told Dawn.com on Saturday that the two arrested suspects, one said to be in his 20’s and the other in his 30’s, were arrested and taken to Lady Reading Hospital after they were injured following a grueling gun-battle with security forces.

Officials said the two suspects were later shifted to an undisclosed location for further interrogation.

Exclusive video footage and photographs of the suspects received by Dawn.com show that one of them was severely injured with multiple bullet wounds and head injuries.

The suspect was allegedly shooting at worshipers inside the Madrassa Hussainia mosque and was injured after his accomplice blew up his suicide vest.

Officials claimed the two suspects were arrested on a tip-off after law enforcement agencies arrested at least 25 suspects during a search operation in Gulbahar, Haji Camp and Gulshan Colony areas.

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youth

Jun 22, 2013 02:09pm

Animal in the face of a human. If this animal is really responsible then hang him publicly.

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Idealist

Jun 22, 2013 02:19pm

Now our fellow countrymen start commenting denying that he is not the actual attacker, as what they are expecting is He should an American looking white Jew with a Freemason tatto on his arm and an Illuminati David's star on his forehead. Oh he should also has a passport showing he is a resident of Mars! Surely a Pakistan and Muslim can't be one attacking others!!! Muppets

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patriot

Jun 22, 2013 02:29pm

Dont just arrest terrorists. If proven guilty, hang them immediately. This circus sponsored from afghanistan needs to stop now. stop protecting terrorists under US pressure. enough is enough.

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deep

Jun 22, 2013 02:39pm

I am reminded of Nadeem paracha's article about pakistan's coverup during the siege of Mecca when the rulers let the population believe that it was america and not indigenous saudis behind the attack on islam's holiest shrines. Very rarely are we told the name of the terrorist or where he comes from. Will that undermine the official line that "this is not our war, and these are not muslims --- or these are mercenaries paid by outside forces." I firmly believe that if the nation has to fight terrorism - each of these terrorists need to be identified and their path to radicalism needs to be looked into and perhaps the real big masterminds will be uncovered...but is that what we are trying to hide?

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Irfan Baloch

Jun 22, 2013 03:08pm

our Judiciary will keep its seamless record and let these suspects go due to "lack of evidence" if any witness will attempt to testify then he will be killed as well as in the past

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S Hassan Ali

Jun 22, 2013 03:29pm

Ask PTI, JI and PML(N), and they would day that this attack on shia mosque is reaction to drone attacks.

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a-jay

Jun 22, 2013 03:57pm

With change of the provincial government police has come into action. These arrests will solve more murder cases of prominent shias of Peshawar who were killed earlier.

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zia hyder

Jun 22, 2013 04:13pm

the arrested persons must not be taken to an undisclosed location, but produced before a court of law in full view of the public, so that the truth comes out. The habit od hiding these ppl away nd dealing secretly with them is the root cause of this

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saeed

Jun 22, 2013 04:42pm

Let us see if this moron will meet justice in the court or he will be protected by the inept legal system in Pakistan.

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Armagan Akram

Jun 22, 2013 04:56pm

if indeed they are guilty, I hope they get what is coming to them.

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Sid

Jun 22, 2013 05:09pm

This is whole drama,nothing will happen, Pakistan is a failed state it can not protect its citizens. Pakistan zindabad.

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Salim Akbani

Jun 22, 2013 05:46pm

The intelligence agencies are woefully incompetent in getting information on these terrorists, their trainers and financiers. Guns don't come free, neither does training. People who are facilitating these deranged people to commit such murderous acts on innocents must be prosecuted convicted and disposed off. The head of this snake must be cut off.

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khalil

Jun 22, 2013 05:44pm

This devil faced should be hanged in public when he wakes up for murdering innocent people

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Ibne Anwar

Jun 22, 2013 06:03pm

I request Dawn to follow the story so that we may know who these terrorists are; Indian, American, Israeli or our own friends....

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Guest63

Jun 22, 2013 06:04pm

From the picture of this killer , he gives close resemblance to another killer ( they may be cousins or step brothers !) , if people are forgetting I am referring to the Confessed braod day light killer of Salman Tasser , the killer being garlanded later on by the black coats officers of the law ! . Hope this one will face his destined gallows as soon as he is able to walk to the one and that our law officers , security agencies , even courts , will not create another Hero of of this disgusting human beings ( its a disgrace to even term him a human being , after his dastardly acts in a place of worship )

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Jun 22, 2013 06:17pm

Is this the face of a human. This is one of the most grotesque face i have seen in my life. A muslim taking life of another muslim in the name of a religion increasingly under seige by its own adherents.

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Insaan

Jun 22, 2013 06:24pm

How much hatred one must have to be convinced to kill another human being? Once general population become complacent to such societal behaviors, the result cannot be anything but moral and ethical bankruptcy of a nation. If you and I aren't going to stand up against such aggression, who will? May we become more tolerant of each other and learn to accept differences and build upon them rather than 'eliminate' them.

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ARIF

Jun 22, 2013 06:23pm

Need capital punishment like saudi Arabia & iran. It is only solution of control terriorism.

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Zaheer

Jun 22, 2013 06:31pm

i don't think so these perpetrators would be brought justice because there is no rule of law

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pathanoo

Jun 22, 2013 06:42pm

What ever happens to these terrorists who are captured? You never hear any thing the authorities found after investigating. You never hear that they have been punished. Mostly you hear that the terrorists were released due to lack of witness or proof. You never hear that a den of terrorists was eliminated as a result of investigations from the captured ones.

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Naheed

Jun 22, 2013 06:53pm

Take ample actions against these ATHEISTS as no religion can teach its followers to commit such horrendous crimes!!

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Jun 22, 2013 07:22pm

face of an EVIL

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Aqil Siddiqi

Jun 22, 2013 07:24pm

And these good for nothing Lost Souls call themselves Muslims. When the Civil Authorities know, that Shia Mosques are the target practice, then why not have Proper Police or even Army Personal stationed over there. I also blame our government for having these kind of mind blowing and systematic killings been going on for such a long time. Aqil Siddiqi (Canada)

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Naved

Jun 22, 2013 07:38pm

Arrest is not enough, exemplary punishment should be given to these terrorists without taking much time.

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reyan

Jun 22, 2013 07:55pm

dont arrest them kill them

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Ahmed

Jun 22, 2013 08:09pm

hang him till death so others take note no murderers allowed in Pakistan!

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Imran

Jun 22, 2013 08:18pm

Lets see how effective the (justice party) system is bringing these monsters to their (punishment). Look at this guy's face. (Only a mother could love. Not)

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M S Shheik

Jun 22, 2013 08:34pm

Trial, if found guilty hang them.

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Imran

Jun 22, 2013 08:34pm

Where are those thousands of anti-Islamic commentators and prejudice (against Islam) liker and non-likers of comments now? A madrassa blows up just like a market, sometimes even more people die if not less but "Islamists" will be blamed on market bombing and these bombing, which clearly shows that its not an "Islamic" or "Islamist" organization at work in Pakistan causing terror attacks, will be totally forgotten. I feel worried for Pakistan's future, whose people are either so prejudice or gullable that they will be against something because its easier to blame that. Bombs going off everywhere and Paksitanis will say its "Islamists", drone attacks "its America" (they can never do this without government involvement), taxes being raised "Its the government (which is technically right but around 175 millions aren't paying taxes, which is the reason the rate is going up). Are we ever going to grow some courage and tackle these problems, search for the truth and take action on those findings? Or are we going to enjoy "Pakoras" with tea in home during monsoon season and watch TV and say all those things that are written above? Rise Pakistan.

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Moazzam

Jun 22, 2013 08:54pm

That's is not acceptable!

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Concerned Citizen

Jun 22, 2013 09:07pm

We have read many times regarding such terrorists being arrested on very few occasions. They must be put to death squad without any hesitation,unfortunately have not known anyone being punished. If these people are brain washed to kill innocent humane beings for their passage to heaven. The authorities should help them achieve that goal ASAP.

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insaf pasand

Jun 22, 2013 10:24pm

@jg: why are they killing - innocents

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Israr Khan IsmailZai.

Jun 22, 2013 11:18pm

Great job guys, keep up the good work.

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farid

Jun 22, 2013 11:29pm

This man looks like a pre-historic animal with no conscience, education , humanity and knowledge of the modern world. If this is Islam I have no respect for this religion of ours.

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Tauseef QURAISHI

Jun 23, 2013 12:13am

These people are inhuman and they should be publicly exposed and brought to justice. Instead of whisking them away and keeping everything secret they should be tried openly so that fellow citizens can see what their agenda is. They deserve no leniency.

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zia khan

Jun 23, 2013 01:36am

The security personnel who put their lives on line and fought back should be rewarded. These murders are in custody because of them. Ethnic violence must be crushed with brute force.

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Iqbal

Jun 23, 2013 01:53am

All I can ask is... will anything ever change? Yet more arrests? I think I'd feel safer after committing a crime here in Pakistan than before.

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Mushtaq

Jun 23, 2013 02:10am

Arrest in "Hospital" ?

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Observer

Jun 23, 2013 02:27am

Rather they should be leveraged and used to capture the hole ring of supporters, backing them with money and weapons!

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Ali

Jun 23, 2013 02:34am

I have to say; the silence of Dawn Viewers on this topic and the total ignorance to this fact is appalling. Do pray that you arn't the next one in line to be targeted by these animals in human form.

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AKA

Jun 23, 2013 05:31am

we always say we can give ARE LIFE for are NABI ,BUT DID WE EVER TRYING TO WALK ON HIS FOOT STEP.

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Chand

Jun 23, 2013 11:53am

Hanging would be too easy! They should be informed that they going to be handed over to the relatives of the dead,let them stew for a few days and then hand them over.

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Havi

Jun 24, 2013 09:13am

The entire nation should raise its voice to vent the anger. Terrorism is prohibited in Islam and killing Muslims is highest degree of prohibition ( haram ). To be silence is an indicative in supporting "Terrorism "

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Jun 24, 2013 02:13pm

@Naheed: Neither does atheism! So, please don't declare him 'atheist'. He'll able to tell better what his religion is! (I am an atheist. And I will never hurt any person.. no matter what!)

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Jun 24, 2013 07:43pm

What is wrong with these people. Don't they know that killing of any human being is forbidden in islam?

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Mohabbat

Jun 24, 2013 10:10pm

@Naheed: What's wrong with you??? Atheists do not kill others in the name of God or religion. That is strictly done by 'believers' who hold only their belief system is right and all others wrong.

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Farhan

Jun 25, 2013 01:22am

@Naheed: Calling them athiests is basically avoiding the problem. These people are Muslims like you and me, and this problem of terrorism is a MUSLIM problem. Once we realize that it is their understanding of ISLAM which is causing them to commit these acts, only then can we think about finding a solution.

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