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A powerful bomb has exploded inside a Shia mosque in Pakistan’s northwestern city of Peshawar, killing more than 50 people and wounding dozens more, many of them critically.
The explosion occurred as worshippers had gathered in the Kucha Risaldar mosque in Peshawar’s old city area for Friday prayers.
Hospital officials said at least 56 people were killed, revising an earlier toll of 30 dead. At least 194 people were reported wounded.
ISIL (ISIS) later claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement.
Peshawar police chief Muhammed Ejaz Khan said the violence started when two armed attackers opened fire on police outside the mosque.
One assailant and one policeman were killed in the gun battle, and another policeman was wounded. The remaining attacker then entered the mosque and detonated a bomb.
A witness who identified himself as Naeem lives next door to the mosque.