http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/17/world/asia/pakistan-mosque-explosion.html 2016-09-16 16:11:09 Explosion at Pakistan Mosque Kills More Than a Dozen The blast occurred during Friday afternoon prayers in the remote village of Pai Khan, an official said, though the cause was not yet clear. === PESHAWAR, Pakistan — At least 16 people were killed in an explosion at a mosque in the tribal region of Mohmand in Pakistan on Friday, an official from the region said. More than 20 others were wounded in the blast. The explosion occurred during Friday afternoon prayers in Pai Khan, a remote village in the mountainous Ambar subdistrict of Mohmand, the official, Naveed Akbar, a deputy administrator in the region, said by telephone. The cause of the explosion, he said, was not yet clear. “Some people say it was suicide bombing,” Mr. Akbar said. “Others say the device was already planted in the mosque.” Bomb disposal experts were on their way to determine the cause, he said, adding, “But local residents say it was suicide bombing.” Mr. Akbar said there was no information on why this particular mosque had been targeted, describing it as a mosque like any other in the village. A Pakistani security official, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the news media on the matter, said officials believed the mosque had been attacked because residents had been siding with the government against militants. But he noted that the attack was still under investigation. A resident said the explosion occurred as the preacher ended his main sermon. “Just when those in attendance stood up to offer their prayers, there was a shout of Allahu akbar, followed by a big explosion,” said Mohammad Ameer, a 41-year-old witness. “The roof of the veranda came crashing down, and there was thick smoke,” he said.