NOWSHEHRA - At least 10 persons were killed and 44 others injured as a result of remote control bomb blast inside Akhund Panjo Baba Mosque in Akbarpura area here after Friday prayers. Local sources said that the bomb was planted below the mat of the first praying row of the mosque, which went off with big bang inside the mosque Hall. At the time of the blast free food (Langar) was being distributed among the devotees of Akhund Panjo Baba shrine. The blast caused severe fear and panic in the area and its sound was echoed in the surrounding localities. The blast also damaged rooftop and smashed the windowpanes of the mosque. At the time of blast around 1000 Namazis were present inside the mosque while people from the outskirts of the area were also coming to attend the Friday prayers. Soon after the blast, the local people initiated the rescue activities on self-help basis and shifted the injured persons to Peshawar and district headquarters hospital Nowshehra, where four of the injured were stated to be critical. Police Bomb Disposal Squad also rushed towards the site and cordoned off the area and collected the evidences from the site. According to the Bomb Disposal Squad, around three kg explosives were used in the attack, which also created a two feet deep crater at the blast site. Security was put on high alert while police contingent was deployed to thwart any other incident. Police also launched search drive in the area to find the suspected militants. It is mentioned here that it was the first blast since the militants attacked the residence of Provincial Information Minister Mian Ifitikhar Hussain in which several people were killed and injured. Meanwhile, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Barrister Masood Kausar has strongly condemned the bomb blast at Akbarpura in Nowshera district on Friday and described it a highly inhuman and cowardly act of terrorism. In his condolence statement over the incident, the Governor has also expressed his deep shock and sorrow over the loss of precious lives. Expressing his deep sympathies with the members of the bereaved families, the Governor has further pointed out that no doubt, we as a nation are confronted with a big challenge yet it is also a fact that we are successfully overcoming the difficult situation. Inshallah, he remarked, the day is not far away, when we, as a nation would emerge with success in this hour of test. He also appealed to the people to maintain complete unity in their rank and files and continue their support to the law-enforcement agencies so as the elements involved in heinous crimes could be brought to justice. He also prayed for the eternal peace of the departed souls and courage to bereaved families to bear the irreparable losses with patience. He has also wished early recovery of the injured.