Two killed in blast in Pakistani Shia mosque

At least two people were killed and 20 were injured in a powerful blast in a Shia mosque in Pakistan's Peshawar city, police said Friday.

Heavy firing was also reported, and residents said a thick cloud of smoke engulfed the city's Hayatabad area, Dawn reported.

Residents said three explosions took place inside the Imamia Masjid Imambargah at the time of Friday prayers, but police did not confirm the blast inside the Shia place of worship.

Security and rescue operation teams were dispatched to the area, with forces cordoning off the site for further inspection.

The number of casualties is expected to increase.

An eyewitness was quoted as saying that Friday prayers were being offered at the mosque when five to six armed men wearing security forces' uniform entered the place of worship and hurled grenades at the security personnel deputed at the premises.

He added that one of the attackers, who was wearing a suicide vest, blew himself up inside the imambargah after which the rest of his associates began indiscriminate firing.

An eyewitness claimed to have seen scores of people injured after the attack began.

On Jan 30, more than 50 people were killed and around 50 others injured when a suicide bomber trigerred a blast in a Shia mosque in Shikarpur district.