The
attack comes exactly two weeks after a suicide bombing inside a packed Shia
mosque in Pakistan’s Sindh province during the Friday prayers killed 61 people,
including children, in the deadliest sectarian attack to hit the country in
recent times.
The
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan claimed responsibility for the attack at the Imamia
Masjid Imambargah in the posh Hayatabad area here where worshippers had
gathered for the afternoon Friday prayers.
The
Imambargah is situated close to several government buildings, including the
local passport centre and the Federal Investigation Agency offices. At least
three explosions and gunfire was heard. So
far, 20 people have been killed and over 50 others have been injured, hospital
sources said.
An
eyewitness said Friday prayers were being offered when armed men wearing
security forces’ uniform entered the mosque and hurled grenades at the security
personnel deputed at the premises.
Earlier,
there were reports that some militants were still in the mosque and were
exchanging fire with security forces.The
police and army personnel-led operation at the mosque ended after nearly two
and a half hours, police said.
Television
footage showed images of people running frantically as the area was covered
with thick smoke. Prime
Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Mamnoon Hussain strongly condemned the
attack. Political leaders including Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Chairman Imran
Khan also expressed grief over the incident.
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