SLAMABAD (AFP) – Gunfire and explosions were reported Friday inside a mosque near military barracks in Pakistan's garrison city ofRawalpindi, which neighbours the capital Islamabad, police said.
The reports came during Friday prayers, with security forces and ambulances rushing to the scene. The city is the site of the military's headquarters and has been a frequent target of attacks by the Pakistani Taliban.
"There was gunfire inside a mosque in Qasim market area. We have reports that some shells were also fired. We don't have more details," said Mohammad Aamir, a local police station official.
Officials said security forces were on the scene.
"We have got reports of firing and a grenade blast in Qasim market area in Rawalpindi," a rescue official told AFP.
"We have dispatched ambulances to the site and are setting up a communication link. There is no report about casualties."
Pakistan has been hit by a wave of suicide blasts and attacks, with more than 2,570 people killed during a two-and-a-half year insurgency by Islamist militants.
Attacks have intensified this year as the military launches offensives against Taliban strongholds, and in October the army headquarters in Rawalpindi was the target of a militant siege and hostage-taking.
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