45 killed as suicide attackers storm Pak mosque

Rawalpindi, Islamabad: At least 45 people were killed and 83 injured on Friday when suicide attackers stormed a mosque near army headquarters in Pakistan's Rawalpindi city spraying bullets on hundreds of Friday worshippers, including military personnel, and hurling grenades before blowing themselves up. In pics: Deadly attack at Rawalpindi mosque

The attackers, who used ladders to clamber over the walls of the Jamia Masjid near Parade Lane, lobbed grenades and fired indiscriminately at worshippers. They also exchanged fire with the mosque's security guards.

There was confusion over the total number of terrorists involved in the attack. Some witnesses said seven to eight gunmen stormed the mosque, which was packed with Friday worshippers including serving and retired military personnel, while police and army officials put the number of assailants at five to six.

The military said at least four of the attackers either blew themselves up or were killed by security forces, while official sources were quoted as saying by TV channels that two terrorists exploded themselves in the mosque.

Regional Police Officer Aslam Tareen told reporters that 40 people were killed and 83 others injured in the attack, which came shortly after a roadside bomb targeted a bus carrying civilians in the troubled Mohmand tribal region in the country's northwest leaving six people dead and five others injured.