Sky News
Terrorists Kill 41 In Pakistan Mosque Attack
written by Mark Langford
Friday December 04, 2009 5:28pm UK
More than 40 people have been killed after an audacious terrorist attack on a mosque in a Pakistani military compound.
At least seven militants got into the security zone around the army headquarters in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan police say the gunmen attacked the mosque during Friday prayers, firing weapons and throwing grenades.
Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik told reporters two of the terrorists blew themselves up inside the mosque, while two others fired indiscrimnately into it.
He said ten children were among those killed.
"This shows the militants are anti-Islam," he added.
Eye-witnesses told Pakistani television poured in fire through the windows and threw at least 10 hand grenades.
Nasir Ali Sheikh saw the attackers at the mosque as he walked there to pray.
"They were killing people like animals," he said. "I couldn't understand what was happening."
Police in Rawalpindi say the death toll is 41, with 79 injured. The dead are understood to include senior army officers.
British prime minister Gordon Brown sent a letter of condolence to Pakistan counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani, who was in London this week.
"The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan in confronting the menace of terrorism," he wrote.
Questions are already being asked about how the gunmen managed to breach security.
The mosque is used by senior serving and retired members of the security forces for Friday prayers.
Rawalpandi is home to the Pakistani military and has been a frequent target of attacks by the country's Taliban.
Pakistan has been hit by a wave of suicide blasts and attacks, with more than 2,570 people killed during a two-and-a-half year insurgency by Islamist militants.
At least 34 people were killed and dozens injured in a suicide bomb attack outside a hotel not far from army headquarters in Rawalpindi on November 2.
And on October 10 militants stormed the headquarters and took 45 hostages during a 22-hour siege.
Terrorists Kill 41 In Pakistan Mosque Attack
written by Mark Langford
Friday December 04, 2009 5:28pm UK
More than 40 people have been killed after an audacious terrorist attack on a mosque in a Pakistani military compound.
At least seven militants got into the security zone around the army headquarters in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan police say the gunmen attacked the mosque during Friday prayers, firing weapons and throwing grenades.
Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik told reporters two of the terrorists blew themselves up inside the mosque, while two others fired indiscrimnately into it.
He said ten children were among those killed.
"This shows the militants are anti-Islam," he added.
Eye-witnesses told Pakistani television poured in fire through the windows and threw at least 10 hand grenades.
Nasir Ali Sheikh saw the attackers at the mosque as he walked there to pray.
"They were killing people like animals," he said. "I couldn't understand what was happening."
Police in Rawalpindi say the death toll is 41, with 79 injured. The dead are understood to include senior army officers.
British prime minister Gordon Brown sent a letter of condolence to Pakistan counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani, who was in London this week.
"The UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Pakistan in confronting the menace of terrorism," he wrote.
Questions are already being asked about how the gunmen managed to breach security.
The mosque is used by senior serving and retired members of the security forces for Friday prayers.
Rawalpandi is home to the Pakistani military and has been a frequent target of attacks by the country's Taliban.
Pakistan has been hit by a wave of suicide blasts and attacks, with more than 2,570 people killed during a two-and-a-half year insurgency by Islamist militants.
At least 34 people were killed and dozens injured in a suicide bomb attack outside a hotel not far from army headquarters in Rawalpindi on November 2.
And on October 10 militants stormed the headquarters and took 45 hostages during a 22-hour siege.
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