At least 40 persons were killed on Friday when suicide bombers stormed a mosque, frequented by military officers and jawans, in the garrison town of Rawalpindi and fired indiscriminately on worshippers and detonated explosives.

Bloody Friday n Back-to-back blasts trigger panic n Bombers lob hand grenades, fire indiscriminately n Maj-Gen, Brigadier among dead  n Mosque frequented by army officials

A serving Major General, a Brigadier and a Colonel were among the killed. A large number of people had gathered for the Friday prayers when the blasts took place.

The incident took place when at least six to seven gunmen entered the Parade Lanes mosque located near Qasim market in Rawalpindi Cantonment. They threw hand grenades followed by indiscriminate firing. Security forces stationed there opened retaliatory fires, regional police officer Aslam Tarin said.

Army teams rushed to the scene where they exchanged fire with terrorists. Military helicopters hovered over the scene of violence following the attack.

“There were at least five attackers all of whom were killed during exchange of fire and bombs blasts they detonated,” Major General Abbas said.

Tarin said 40 persons were killed and 83 injured when the attacked unleashed indiscriminate machine gun fire and hurled grenades at the worshippers.

Security forces seized a car at the site of the incident, which is suspected to have been used for carrying the terrorists to their target point. Rawalpindi is regarded as twin city of capital Islamabad and is also home to the military headquarters that has become a frequent target of militants belonging to the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

“Apparently three to five gunmen launched a strike on the mosque frequented by military officers and soldiers. They exploded bombs and fired indiscriminately at worshippers,” Abbas told reporters.

The area was cordoned off as soldiers searched for more attackers.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the attackers posed as worshippers. The blast destroyed roof of the mosque.

Agencies add: “There were children among them who had come to pray with their fathers. There were also elderly, retired security officials,” said an Army official.

According to some eyewitnesses, the terrorists threw hand grenades inside the Parade Line mosque while others said that two suicide bombers were present inside the mosque and as soon as the Friday prayers were over, the bombers blew themselves up. Gunfire broke out following the blasts in the mosque.

Ishtiaq, an eyewitness and driver of a Brigadier, said two back-to-back blasts rocked the mosque as the prayers concluded.

“The Brigadier and his son had entered the mosque while I was being searched by the guards when I heard the first blast and soon after that a second one,” DPA quoted Ishtiaq as saying.

Soldiers and police cordoned off the area around the sprawling walled compound near the mosque that also houses residential blocks for servicemen and their families.