Pakistan: 56 killed, scores injured in Peshawar mosque blast

In Pakistan, a powerful bomb exploded inside a Shiite Muslim mosque in its northern city of  Peshawar. At least 56 worshippers were killed and more than 190 injured following the massive blast.  Local police official Waheed Khan said the explosion occurred when worshippers had gathered in the Kucha Risaldar mosque in Peshawar’s old city for Friday prayers. Ambulances rushed through congested narrow streets carrying the injured to nearby hospitals. Peshawar police Chief Muhammed Ejaz Khan said the violence started when two armed attackers opened fire on police outside the mosque.

One attacker and one policeman were killed in the gunfight, and another police official was wounded. The second attacker then ran inside the mosque and detonated a bomb. At least 150 worshippers were inside the mosque at the time of the explosion, said witnesses. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the blast Prime Minister Imran Khan condemned the bombing.. One attacker and one policeman were killed in the gunfight, and another police official was wounded. The remaining attacker then ran inside the mosque and detonated a bomb. In majority Sunni Muslim Pakistan, minority Shiite Muslims have come under repeated attacks.In recent months Pakistan has experienced a broad increase of violence. Dozens of military personnel have been killed in scores of attacks on army outposts along the border with Afghanistan. Much has been claimed by the Pakistani Taliban, which analysts say have been emboldened by the Afghan Taliban's return to power last August.