Pakistani volunteers carry an injured blast victim at a hospital in Peshawar on August 19, 2011.
A powerful bomb blast ripped through a mosque in the Khyber tribal district of north-west Pakistan, killing at least 53 people and wounding more than 130 others.
The attack took place when hundreds of people gathered for Friday prayers in Ghundi area of Jamrud in Khyber Agency, a Press TV correspondent reported.
Initial reports say the roof of the mosque collapsed and many people were buried under the rubble.
The death toll is expected to rise as many of the injured are said to be in critical condition.
The Pakistani army has launched several operations in the troubled northwest in a bid to flush out militants from Pakistan's tribal zone.
Despite an offensive by the Pakistani government against pro-Taliban militants, they have spread their influence in various regions, killing hundreds of people and security forces.
Since late 2009, there has been a surge in militant bomb attacks in Pakistan.
The US invaded Afghanistan in 2001 with the official objective of curbing militancy and bringing peace and stability to the region. However, after nine years, the region remains unstable and militancy has expanded towards Pakistan.
Nearly 4,500 people have been killed in bomb attacks across Pakistan since 2007.
JR/HGH
Posted in: NEWS
