Islamabad: More than 15 worshippers were reported to have been killed when three unidentified gunmen exploded grenades and sprayed bullets at a Friday congregation in a minority Shia Mosque in Quetta on July 4.

The attack triggered violence in Quetta, the capital of the South Western Baluchistan province as the Hazara community, which was targeted, took to streets and burnt vehicles and shops prompting the authorities to impose indefinite curfew in the city.

Local police officials said that the gunmen, suspected to be Sunni extremists, fired on a large congregation at a mosque on the Mc Coughly road, where hundreds of people had gathered for the Friday prayers.

Initial reports also spoke of a an explosion followed by firing. However, the Police have not confirmed it so far.

Police said according to initial reports, three attackers took part in the carnage. One police official said one attacker was killed and another captured.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack, although police suspected the hand of the banned Sunni extremist outfit Sipha-e-Sebha.

This is the second major attack on Shia Muslims in Quetta in less than a month. At least 12 police recruits, belonging to Hazara community were shot dead when their bus was ambushed in Quetta in June.

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, who is in Paris, condemned the attacks and asked the authorities to beef up security arrangements.

PTI