Pak blast kills 30 in a mosque

Rawalpindi, Dec. 4: At least 30 people were killed on Friday when suicide bo-mbers stormed a packed mosque in Rawalpindi with gunfire and explosions, officials said.

The brazen raid by at least two attackers came as people gathered for Friday prayers in the city that ad-joins Islamabad. Rawalpindi is also home to the military headquarters and is a frequent target of Taliban insurgents.

Army spokesman, Major General Athar Abbas, said that militants launched a strike on a mosque frequented by military officers near Qasim market. The area was cordoned off as soldiers searched for more attackers.

“More than one terrorist attacked. They exploded bombs inside the mosque. There were shots fired,” he said, adding, “Terrorists were killed but we don’t know how many.

The interior minister, Mr Rehman Malik, told the private ARY television channel that bombers disguised as worshippers had entered the mosque, and blamed Taliban-linked insurgents for the attack.

“There were two suicide bombers and the roof of the mosque collapsed. According to the information I received a few moments ago, above 30 were killed and there are so many people injured,” he said. “They are taking revenge for the Pakistan Army’s successful operations in Swat and Waziristan regions,” Mr Malik added.