TTP militants confess to carrying out 2013 Rawalpindi mosque attack

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has released a confessional video of terrorists belonging to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), in which they have confessed to carrying out an attack at a mosque in Rawalpindi’s Raja bazaar area in 2013.

The attack was carried out at the time of Ashura and it caused blood-shed and a rift between the Shia and Sunni community. That particular attack claimed the lives of nine people.

“My name is Bakht Shahzeb and I’m from Bajaur Agency,” said one of the terrorists in a confessional video released by ISPR on Monday.

“We were directed to wear black clothes and pose as Shia mourners,” he said. “We were tasked to ensure that a clash takes place between people, belonging to the Shia and Sunni sects, present on the scene.”

He further elaborated that militants from his group had gathered at their leader, Abdul Rasheed’s house before the attack. “Other than the two of us, the group comprised Bakhsullah, Inayatur Rehman, Sultan Zeb Shina, Ajmal Khan, Abdul Razzaq and Lawang,” he said.

When they reached the mosque, one of the militants stabbed a number of people at the entrance before setting the first floor on fire. Another militant opened fire at those people who were gathered at the seminary.

By that time a Shia procession had reached a nearby chowk and a clash between Shias and Sunnis had erupted.

“We fled the scene soon afterwards and returned to Bajaur Agency after 15 to 20 days and updated Zahid Gul of our progress,” Shahzeb said.

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