By Javid Hussain and Jibran Ahmad

PARACHINAR, Pakistan (Reuters) – An explosion apparently targeting a mosque in Pakistan’s northwestern city of Parachinar, in a remote area bordering Afghanistan, killed at least 11 people and wounded dozens, officials said.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but the blast, which took place as people gathered for Friday prayers near the women’s entrance of a Shia mosque in the central bazaar, follows a series of attacks this year.

A parliamentarian from Parachinar, Sajid Hussain, said the death toll from the explosion had reached 11, with 60 wounded.

He said gunfire preceded the incident, which he described as a suicide attack, adding, “The attack took place in a busy area and a women’s mosque appears to be the target.”

Last month, more than 80 people were killed and dozens wounded in an attack on a crowded Sufi shrine in southern Pakistan that was claimed by Islamic State.

In January, at least 21 people were killed when an explosion hit a vegetable market in Parachinar, capital of the Kurram tribal region, where Pakistani security forces have battled militant groups for years.

MORE:   http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/blast-in-northwest-pakistan-kills-at-least-11–wounds-dozens/43073930