The December 2009 Rawalpindi attack in Rawalpindi, Pakistan was a terrorist attack on a mosque during Friday prayers on 4 December 2009.[2] The mosque is located near the Pakistan Army's headquarters in Rawalpindi, is surrounded by military houses and is frequented by retired and serving officers.[2][3]
| December 2009 Rawalpindi attack | |
|---|---|
| Location | mosque located on Parade Lane, Rawalpindi |
| Date | 4 December 2009 Around 12:00 pm (noon)[1] (PST+5) |
Attack type | Suicide attack,[2] shooting |
| Deaths | 40[2] |
| Injured | 80+[3] |
The attack on the mosque
editFive armed suicide attackers opened fire on and hurled grenades at the crowd of about 150 worshipers, gathered for prayers in the mosque on Parade Lane.[1][2] Security forces soon arrived on the scene to engage the terrorists; All five of the militants died by either blowing themselves up or fighting the soldiers inside the mosque.[2] The area around the mosque was cordoned off and the security forces initiated a search for more attackers in the area.[1] Helicopters were also used.[2]
Approximately 37 people were killed instantly, while 61 others were injured, including women and children.[2] The victims were mostly retired and serving officers.[3] Eyewitnesses reported that the victims were fired upon at close range and the mosque was badly damaged in the attack.[2] The roof of the mosque has collapsed.[1] No group has claimed responsibility.[3] An eyewitness reported the worshipers had to pass through "tight security", including metal detectors to enter the mosque. Senior police official Aslam Tarin suggested the attackers may have entered the mosque by scaling the mosque wall.[3]
There is speculation that the attack was in retaliation for the Pakistan army's campaign into the Taliban stronghold of South Waziristan.[2] Killed in the attack were nine army personnel including Major General Bilal Omer Khan, a brigadier, two lieutenant colonels and two majors; deputy director of NLC, Taskeen Anjum as well as many children belonging to the families of Army men such as Hashim Masood Aslam, the only son of Lt. Gen Masood Aslam who is the commander of XI Corps (Pakistan).[4][5] General Muhammad Yusaf Khan former Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) under Pervez Musharraf was injured in the attack.[6]
Aftermath
editTehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan said that responsibility for the attack in an email sent to CNN and stated "We once again mention that we are not against the innocent people and the state of Pakistan but against those officers and ministers who are American by hearts and minds and Pakistani just by faces".[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "At least 32 dead as militants strike Rawalpindi". Dawn News. 4 December 2009. Retrieved 4 December 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Walsh, Declan (4 December 2009). "Pakistan militants launch deadly attack on Rawalpindi mosque". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 4 December 2009.
- ^ a b c d e "Pakistan Rawalpindi mosque attack kills many". BBC. 4 December 2009. Retrieved 4 December 2009.
- ^ Pakistan mourns officers, civilians slain in mosque attack, France 24, 2009-12-05 [dead link]
- ^ Anjum, Shakeel (5 December 2009). "40 killed in Pindi mosque suicide attack". TheNews. Archived from the original on 29 January 2016. Retrieved 22 October 2012.
- ^ Mosque Serving Pakistani Military Hit by Attackers, The New York Times, 2009-12-05
- ^ Pakistani Taliban claims responsibility for mosque strike, CNN, 2009-12-07