Rawalpindi: At least six persons were killed and 16 injured in a massive explosion outside a Shiite mosque in Pakistan’s garrison city of Rawalpindi on Friday.
The blast took place outside Imambargah Abu Mohammad Rizvi located in densely populated area of Chitian Hatian in Rawalpindi.Â
Police said that a suicide attacker blew himself up after his attempt to enter the worship place was foiled.
The suicide bomber reached the spot at around 9:20pm riding a bike. He then parked his bike and tried to enter the Imambargah, an eye witness said. The explosion was so intense that windowpanes of nearby buildings were shattered.
According to eyewitnesses, the suicide bomber wanted to enter the Imambargah, but he was stopped by two volunteers. Police confirmed that most of the deaths and injuries occurred outside the mosque.
Mehfil-e-Milaad was under way at the Imambargah when the blast took place. More than hundred people, including women and children, were present in the Milaad.
Police and rescue teams reached the scene and shifted the wounded to District Headquarters Hospital, where emergency was declared.