Gunmen hit mosque in Pakistan garrison city

Gunmen hit mosque in Pakistan garrison city. Explosions heard near military HQ; local TV reports 5 people die in violence. - Suspected militants fired on a mosque near Pakistan's military headquarters after Friday prayers and blasts were heard, a military spokesman said.

"There has been gunshots and blasts at the mosque. Details about the number of terrorists and casualties are yet to come," military spokesman Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas said.

Television stations said at least five people were killed. Police official Waqas Ahmed told The Associated Press that gunfire was continuing in the area. At least one explosion was also heard.

Pakistan's army launched a major offensive against Taliban militants in their stronghold of South Waziristan in October. Militants carried out a series of bombings which have killed hundreds since then.

In October, suspected Taliban gunmen wearing army uniforms attacked the army headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi.

The violence comes after U.S. President Barack Obama urged Pakistan to crack down harder on militants operating along the border area to help put down a Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan. ( msn.com )