Bomb explosion in a mosque in Pakistan: 13 people killed

A senior police official and at least 12 civilians were killed today in a bomb blast at a mosque in southwestern Pakistan during prayers, police said.

In an explosion at a mosque in Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province, 15 worshipers were wounded, said the city's police chief, Abdur Razak Chima.

Several of the injured are in critical condition and hospital officials fear the death toll could rise.

The target of the attack is believed to be the slain police official, but authorities are still investigating, said another police official, Mohammad Ajmal.

So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the bombing.

The attack was carried out only a few days after a roadside bomb explosion in Keta hit a paramilitary vehicle, killing two of its members.

The Hizbul Ahrar group, a branch of the Pakistani Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack on Tuesday.

In May of last year, two people died and 28 were injured in a bomb attack in a mosque in Keta.

In August, a powerful bomb exploded in a mosque during Friday prayers in the suburb of Keta.

Although Pakistani extremists are often responsible for such attacks, the province of Baluchistan is also home to an insurgency by separatists seeking greater autonomy and a greater share of the region's natural resources.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan, as well as Baluchistan Province's Prime Minister Jam Kamal Khan, condemned the attack.

The Pakistani military said in a statement that troops were at the scene of the attack to assist civilian authorities.

The Afghan Taliban have a strong presence in Quetta. Balochistan province shares a long border with Afghanistan and Iran.

The Pakistani government claims they have quelled the insurgency, but the violence continues.