3rd LD Writethru: 10 killed, over 50 injured in Pakistan's mosque attack

At least 10 people were killed and over 50 others injured in a suicide attack at a mosque of Shia Muslims in Pakistan's northwestern provincial capital of Peshawar on Friday afternoon, officials said.

Spokesperson of the Hayatabad Medical complex, Wali Rehman, said at least 10 bodies and over 50 injured including children were brought to the hospital after the incident.

The official said death toll may further rise as around 10 injured were in critical condition at the hospital.

Superintendent of Police Mian Saeed said the incident took place at 1:35 p.m. (local time) when two suicide bombers wearing the uniform of paramilitary force entered the mosque in the Hayatabad area of the city after throwing hand grenades and opening firing at the security guards at the main entrance.

One suicide bomber was shot dead by a police guard while the second one succeeded in entering the main hall of the mosque and exploded his jacket amid the people who were offering their Friday prayer.

The attackers also approached a car near the mosque and torched it before starting the attack.

Rescue teams rushed to the site and shifted the bodies and injured to the hospital.

Police and Pakistan army personnel cordoned off the areas and launched a search and clearance operation at the mosque and nearby buildings.

Earlier reports said more than six terrorists attacked the mosque, but later police said only two terrorists were involved in the incident.

An eyewitness said at the time of the attack, around 200 people were present in the mosque.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the blast and sought report from the concerned officials.

The organizations of Shia Muslims in the country announced a three-day countrywide mourning over the tragedy. Endit