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Pakistan mosque attack 'kills 30' | Pakistan mosque attack 'kills 30' |
(18 minutes later) | |
At least 30 people have been killed and many injured in a coordinated attack at a mosque in the city of Rawalpindi, Pakistani military officials say. | At least 30 people have been killed and many injured in a coordinated attack at a mosque in the city of Rawalpindi, Pakistani military officials say. |
Reports suggest there was an initial suicide attack during Friday prayers followed by a series of explosions. | Reports suggest there was an initial suicide attack during Friday prayers followed by a series of explosions. |
Ambulances have rushed to the scene in the busy Qasim Market area of the city. | Ambulances have rushed to the scene in the busy Qasim Market area of the city. |
The Pakistani security forces have been targeted in a series of recent attacks. Nineteen people were killed in an army base attack in Rawalpindi in October. | The Pakistani security forces have been targeted in a series of recent attacks. Nineteen people were killed in an army base attack in Rawalpindi in October. |
Military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said the attack appeared to have been coordinated. | Military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said the attack appeared to have been coordinated. |
"There were certainly more than one attacker, so there is a possibility that some of them may still be hiding in the vicinity." | "There were certainly more than one attacker, so there is a possibility that some of them may still be hiding in the vicinity." |
The BBC's Orla Guerin, in Rawalpindi, says helicopters are hovering over the city, suggesting the security forces are still looking for attackers that may be on the run. | The BBC's Orla Guerin, in Rawalpindi, says helicopters are hovering over the city, suggesting the security forces are still looking for attackers that may be on the run. |
The area around the mosque has been heavily cordoned off by police. | The area around the mosque has been heavily cordoned off by police. |
Friday prayers | Friday prayers |
Interior Minister Rehman Malik says two suicide bombers blew themselves up one after the other inside the mosque, causing the roof of the building to collapse. | Interior Minister Rehman Malik says two suicide bombers blew themselves up one after the other inside the mosque, causing the roof of the building to collapse. |
Rawalpindi was attacked by militants in November | |
There are conflicting accounts of what happened, but some witnesses have spoken of hand grenades being thrown in the aftermath of the first blast. | There are conflicting accounts of what happened, but some witnesses have spoken of hand grenades being thrown in the aftermath of the first blast. |
The incident appears to have taken place near or inside the Parade Lane mosque where people were preparing for the Friday congregation. | The incident appears to have taken place near or inside the Parade Lane mosque where people were preparing for the Friday congregation. |
The mosque has capacity for 1,000 people and would have been crowded at the time for Friday prayers. | The mosque has capacity for 1,000 people and would have been crowded at the time for Friday prayers. |
It is a short distance from the army headquarters, in an area housing several offices of the defence establishment and the intelligence agencies. | It is a short distance from the army headquarters, in an area housing several offices of the defence establishment and the intelligence agencies. |
There has been a pattern of militant groups trying to attack security targets inside Pakistan recently, as the army pursues an offensive against militants in South Waziristan. | There has been a pattern of militant groups trying to attack security targets inside Pakistan recently, as the army pursues an offensive against militants in South Waziristan. |
Once again, the militants have shown they can launch attacks on the military even in protected locations, says our correspondent. | Once again, the militants have shown they can launch attacks on the military even in protected locations, says our correspondent. |
While there has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest incident, the Pakistani Taliban have carried out many recent attacks. | While there has been no immediate claim of responsibility for the latest incident, the Pakistani Taliban have carried out many recent attacks. |
Are you in the Rawalpindi? Do you know where the incident has happened? How are you affected by this story? | Are you in the Rawalpindi? Do you know where the incident has happened? How are you affected by this story? |
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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