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Explosion at Pakistan Shia mosque Explosion at Pakistan Shia mosque
(20 minutes later)
A suspected suicide attack at a Shia mosque in the Pakistani city of Peshawar has left at least four people dead, officials say. A suspected suicide attack at a Shia mosque in the Pakistani city of Peshawar has left at least five people dead and 20 wounded.
Up to 20 people were wounded in the blast which came as Shias prepared to mark the Ashura festival. The blast came as the minority Shia community prepared to mark this weekend's Ashura festival.
Police official Abdullah Khan told the Associated Press news agency: "It was apparently a suicide attack." A BBC reporter at the scene counted five bodies and was told by officials other dead had been removed.
Security has been high in Pakistan during the holy month of Muharram, of which Ashura marks the climax.Security has been high in Pakistan during the holy month of Muharram, of which Ashura marks the climax.
Pakistan has a history of violence between Sunni and Shia extremists.Pakistan has a history of violence between Sunni and Shia extremists.
Police official Abdullah Khan told the Associated Press news agency: "It was apparently a suicide attack."
Local television reported that the mosque was crowded with worshippers at the time of the attack.
History of violence
Thursday's bombing happened in the same area of Peshawar where 11 people died in a suicide attack last year during Ashura.
Last week a suicide bomber killed more than 20 people at a police checkpoint in the eastern city of Lahore but it is not clear if that attack was sectarian.Last week a suicide bomber killed more than 20 people at a police checkpoint in the eastern city of Lahore but it is not clear if that attack was sectarian.
The latest suicide bombing comes as Pakistan heads for elections on 18 February, which were delayed by six weeks following the assassination of opposition leader Benazir Bhutto.
North West Frontier Province, of which Peshawar is the capital, is the scene of frequent clashes between security forces and militants allied to the Taleban movement, active in neighbouring Afghanistan.


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