50 killed, 100 injured in suicide attack in Pak mosque

Islamabad, Mar 27 (PTI) A lone suicide bomber blew himself
up in a mosque packed with worshippers for Friday prayers in
the restive Khyber region close to Afghanistan border killing
at least 50 persons in one of the deadliest terror attacks in
Pakistan that also completely destroyed the shrine.

About 100 persons were also injured in the attack on the
mosque in Jamrud town in North West Pakistan (NWFP) where
about 250 devouts had just begun their prayers. The country's
worst strike this year came hours before US President Barack
Obama was due to unveil a revised strategy against terror
havens in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Assistant political agent Fida Bangash of Khyber Agency
told TV channels that at least 50 people were killed in the
suicide attack. Among the dead in the mayhem were 15 members
of the local political administration and the Khasadar force
and a few security personnel.
Officials said the toll could rise since some victims
were believed to be buried in the rubble. Some reports said 70
persons may have been killed.

The two-storey mosque, a popular stop for travellers
motoring between Pakistan and Afghanistan and close to the
border was completely destroyed, officials said.

According to Tariq Hayat, the top administration official
in Khyber, the bomber was present inside the mosque and blew
himself up when Friday prayers began. Some reports also said
the attacker had rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the
mosque, which is located near a Khasadar check post. (MORE)
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