<p>Terrorists stormed a mosque packed with Friday worshippers near the Pakistani army headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi on Friday, killing at least 10 people and injuring over 20 others.<br /><br />The unidentified assailants lobbed grenades and fired indiscriminately with automatic weapons after entering the Jamia Masjid near Parade Lane in Rawalpindi, witnesses and police said.<br />The firing was followed by more powerful blasts, witnesses said.<br /><br />Chief military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said 10 people were killed. TV news channels reported over 20 people were injured. <br /><br />There was confusion about the total number of terrorists involved in the attack, which occurred shortly before 2 pm local time.<br /><br />Some witnesses said seven to eight gunmen stormed the mosque while others said about 20 assailants were involved. <br /><br />There were also reports that the gunmen had taken some hostages within the mosque and were exchanging fire with security personnel. However, these reports could not immediately be confirmed.<br /><br />Gunshots were heard till about 2.20 pm as helicopters hovered over the area. <br /><br />No group claimed responsibility for the attack. <br /><br />The Taliban have been blamed for a wave of recent attacks targeting security forces that has killed dozens. <br /><br />A large number of people, including military personnel, were present in the mosque for Friday prayers. Many serving and retired military personnel reside in neighbourhoods around the mosque. <br /><br />Witnesses said the mosque was severely damaged in the attack.<br /><br />Security forces cordoned off the area after the attack and prevented the media from approaching the mosque. Several ambulances were seen leaving the mosque complex with bodies and the injured. <br /> <br />The blasts occurred in a sensitive area where an army hospital and police offices are located.<br /><br />The army's heavily-guarded General Headquarters, which was attacked by terrorists in October, is located a short distance from the mosque. <br /> <br />The attack came just two days after a suicide bomber blew himself up at the gate of the Navy Headquarters in Islamabad, killing two naval policemen and injuring 13 others.</p>
<p>Terrorists stormed a mosque packed with Friday worshippers near the Pakistani army headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi on Friday, killing at least 10 people and injuring over 20 others.<br /><br />The unidentified assailants lobbed grenades and fired indiscriminately with automatic weapons after entering the Jamia Masjid near Parade Lane in Rawalpindi, witnesses and police said.<br />The firing was followed by more powerful blasts, witnesses said.<br /><br />Chief military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said 10 people were killed. TV news channels reported over 20 people were injured. <br /><br />There was confusion about the total number of terrorists involved in the attack, which occurred shortly before 2 pm local time.<br /><br />Some witnesses said seven to eight gunmen stormed the mosque while others said about 20 assailants were involved. <br /><br />There were also reports that the gunmen had taken some hostages within the mosque and were exchanging fire with security personnel. However, these reports could not immediately be confirmed.<br /><br />Gunshots were heard till about 2.20 pm as helicopters hovered over the area. <br /><br />No group claimed responsibility for the attack. <br /><br />The Taliban have been blamed for a wave of recent attacks targeting security forces that has killed dozens. <br /><br />A large number of people, including military personnel, were present in the mosque for Friday prayers. Many serving and retired military personnel reside in neighbourhoods around the mosque. <br /><br />Witnesses said the mosque was severely damaged in the attack.<br /><br />Security forces cordoned off the area after the attack and prevented the media from approaching the mosque. Several ambulances were seen leaving the mosque complex with bodies and the injured. <br /> <br />The blasts occurred in a sensitive area where an army hospital and police offices are located.<br /><br />The army's heavily-guarded General Headquarters, which was attacked by terrorists in October, is located a short distance from the mosque. <br /> <br />The attack came just two days after a suicide bomber blew himself up at the gate of the Navy Headquarters in Islamabad, killing two naval policemen and injuring 13 others.</p>