At least 39 killed in Pakistan mosque attack

Militants hurled hand grenades, and then fired at worshippers in a mosque near Pakistan's military headquarters after Friday prayers, killing at least 39 people, rescue services said.

The mosque is frequented by military officials in the garrison town of Rawalpindi. A helicopter hovered over the scene, apparently searching for militants who may have fled after the attack, which wounded more than 40.

Pakistan is fighting Taliban fighters blamed for bombings, that have killed hundreds of people since an offensive was launched on their stronghold of South Waziristan in October.

The country faces mounting US pressure to root out Islamist militants operating along border areas to help in the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan.

"The mosque was attacked by terrorists during Friday prayers. There was more than one attacker, for sure...," said military spokesman Major General Athar Abbas.

"As I said, there were certainly more than one attacker, so there is a possibility that some of them may still be hiding in the vicinity."

The violence will press president Asif Ali Zardari to ease the threat from the Taliban insurgency. But he is a deeply unpopular leader, who has been at odds with the military, which sets national security policy.

In October, suspected Taliban gunmen wearing army uniforms, attacked the army headquarters, killing three hostages and two army commandos.