Peshawar Attack: Pak said, conspiracy to attack Peshawar mosque hatched in Afghanistan, intelligence agency funded

The plot to target a mosque in the capital of Pakistan's restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was hatched in Afghanistan, the country's law enforcement officials probing the suicide attack said on Tuesday.

On 30 January, a Taliban suicide bomber blew himself up during afternoon prayers at a mosque in Peshawar, killing 101 people and injuring over 200 others. A top police official had earlier said that the assailant wore a police uniform to enter the high-security area and was riding a motorcycle wearing a helmet and mask.

The attack was planned in Afghanistan

Investigating officials said the plot for the Peshawar mosque suicide attack was hatched in Afghanistan and funded by the Kabul-based intelligence agency. Officials said the motorcycle used in the blast was sold twice in Peshawar's bustling Sarki Gate market. Police said they have arrested the sellers of the motorcycles. Police sources said security agencies have arrested 17 suspects involved in the devastating blast.

Meanwhile, the Counter Terrorism Department in Peshawar has announced a reward of PKR 10 million for those helping the suicide bomber. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province police chief Moazzam Jah Ansari said the suicide bomber had been identified through his DNA samples. "Those behind this heinous attack will be arrested soon," he added.

TTP took responsibility for the attack

The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the organization later distanced itself from the attack. During the apex committee meeting held earlier this month, Pakistan's civilian and military leadership decided to seek the intervention of Afghan Taliban chief Haibutallah Akhundzada to control the TTP.

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