| GEO Pakistan | | 16 children among 40 martyred in Pindi mosque attack | Updated at: 2038 PST, Friday, December 04, 2009
 RAWALPINDI: At least 40 people have been martyred, including 16 children, and over 80 others injured in a terrorist attack at Parade Lane mosque in Rawalpindi.
DG ISPR has put the death toll to 35 including six officers, three policemen and 16 children. While four terrorists were also killed in the retaliatory attacks.
The fire and hand grenade attack in Rawalpindi mosque left 40 people martyred and 83 others injured, RPO Rawalpindi Aslam Tarin confirmed.
According to police sources, terrorists riding on a silver-colored car entered Parade Line area at 1pm on Friday. They entered the colony by using a ladder with the boundary wall. As soon as the Friday prayers began, they barged into the mosque and hurled hand grenades at the people followed by indiscriminate firing. Immediately after this, they blew themselves up with explosives, killing 40 people, including 16 children, and injuring 8others.
The injured were rushed to Military Hospital, CMH Hospital and GHQ Hospital.
Security forces, after receiving reports about the attack, cordoned off the area and killed the four attackers. During this, military helicopters hovered over the area.
Security forces also seized a car from the site of attack, which is suspected to have been used by the terrorists.
A portion of the mosque caved in as a result of the attack.
A former vice army chief General (retd.) Muhammad Yousuf is also among the dead. He sustained injuries in his arm. While a serving Major General was among the martyrs. |  |
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