Militants are said to have killed at least 35 people, including 17 children, at a mosque near the Pakistani army’s headquarters in Rawalpindi.
At least four attackers opened fire on worshippers during Friday prayers attended by many military staff in the garrison city.
Security forces fought back in an hour-long gun battle before three attackers blew themselves up, reports say.
The Pakistani security forces have been targeted in a series of recent attacks.
Ten adult civilians were also among the dead, as well as military staff, the army said.
One witness told Pakistan’s Dawn TV: “They attacked the mosque from the side … the windows. They took the people, got hold of their hair, shot them.”
The attackers reportedly started hurling grenades around and firing indiscriminately, before two were killed in the battle with security forces and two blew themselves up.
Military spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas said the latest attack had been co-ordinated. It ended once the military had made sure all the gunmen were dead, AFP news agency quoted him as saying.
This attack happened inside a so-called red zone, supposed to be a very secure location. It is close to military facilities and in an area where many senior army officers live. They were known to attend this mosque for prayers.
Once again, the militants are taking this fight to the army and showing they can strike inside a secure protected location.
Certainly, this is part of a pattern of targeting military and security sites. It is something not only restricted to Rawalpindi, but happening in other Pakistani cities as well.
In MCC’s opinion, genuine Muslims would not attack, injure or kill anyone, let alone other Muslims at prayer. These cowardly and evil militants are working for Shaitan, and must be eradicated before they bring down Islam.