Mosque Attack Targets Pakistan's Military

ISLAMABAD -- Suspected Islamic militants stormed a mosque close to Pakistan army headquarters in Rawalpindi on Friday, killing at least 40 people in the latest attack targeting the security forces.

An army major general and several other senior officers were among those killed in one of the deadliest attacks in the high-security garrison town, a military spokesman said.

Six gunmen used grenades to attack the Parade Lane mosque, which was packed with worshipers, and indiscriminately fired with automatic guns before two of the attackers blew themselves up, police and army officials said.

The attackers had climbed over the compound wall of the heavily fortified mosque, which is popular with army officers, police said. The cleric had just finished his sermon when the explosions shook worshipers.

"I heard at least seven blasts before firing started," said Ishtiaq Ahmed, a driver of an army officer who was also injured. More than 150 worshipers were inside the mosque.

Nasir Ali Sheikh, a local resident, was walking toward the mosque when he heard the blast. "They were killing people like animals," he said.

Aslam Tarin, a senior district official, said at least 40 worshipers, including 10 children, were killed and more than 80 others injured, many of them seriously. A part of the mosque was completely destroyed.

Army helicopters hovered over a wide avenue sealed off by soldiers searching for militants who may have fled after the attack. Four gunmen were killed in exchange of fire with the security forces, said a military spokesman.



The latest attack is part of wave of militant violence that has left more than 400 people killed since October. The attack underscored the resilience of militant networks despite army offensives against the Taliban in the northwest regions bordering Afghanistan.

Islamic militants have increasingly targeted security installations and military personnel in recent weeks. This attack was the third by militants in the garrison town in the past two months.

In October gunmen raided the army headquarters, triggering a 22-hour standoff that left more than two dozen people, including two senior army officers, dead. On Wednesday a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the Pakistan Naval Headquarters in Islamabad, killing one security guard.

More than 30,000 troops backed by air force jets are battling the Taliban and al Qaeda militants in the region bordering Afghanistan. The militants have intensified attacks inside Pakistani cities as they are driven out from their mountainous strongholds.

WSJ