Peshawar Mosque Attack live updates, Peshawar Mosque Attack pics

Update 4:10pm IST: Death toll in the Peshawar Mosque attack has risen to 18 according to reports. The number of people injured has also climbed to over 60.

There has been reports of blasts and firing outside a Shia mosque in Peshawar, PakistanTV Screenshot/ Twitter

Update 3:55pm IST: The Deputy Commissioner of Peshawar has been cited by local papers as saying that the attack started with firing from a building near the mosque. Soon after, three or four suicide bombers entered the mosque.

One suicide bomber blew himself up, while another suicide vest was still present inside the mosque until sometime ago. The bomb disposal squad has been called, the commissioner says adding that the attackers had come in a car and burnt it before barging inside the mosque where Friday prayers were ongoing.

The Islamic, anti-terrorist and pro-Shiite movement organisation, Majlis-e-Wahdatul Maslimeen (MWM) has condemned the attack and announced three days of official mourning the country. The party is known particularly for emphasising on the Shiite-Sunni unity.

Update 3:30pm IST: Local news reports have suggested that a hostage situation is underway in the scene. A number of worshippers inside the mosque were taken hostage by the militants. Firing between the suspected militants and the police were still continuing until earlier.

Pakistani PM Nawaz Sharif has directed medical authorities to give best possible treatment to victims of the blast. Victims have been taken to a nearby hospital.

Several cars caught fire due to the impact.

Original Story

Three people have reportedly been killed and 20 have been left injured in blasts and firing outside a Shia mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan, local media reported Friday afternoon.

One of blasts took place inside Imamia Masjid, shortly after the Friday prayers came to an end, according to local Express News, which was widely cited by various news organisations.

Reports also suggest that further firing could be heard at the site of the blast until earlier.

According to SSP operations, one of the explosions took place near the mosque. An eyewitness was cited by the Pakistani Tribune newspaper as saying that several grenades were thrown as worshippers performed the last sajda. The witness also said that it was a suicide attack.

Initially reports suggested there were three blasts.

The nature of the blasts have, however, not been officially confirmed. There are also no official words if the Taliban was involved in the attack.

No one had claimed responsibility for the attack as of 3pm local time.

More details awaited