ISLAMABAD: Despite ‘heavy deployment’ of security personnel for Eid, a suicide bomber successfully entered a mosque in Islamabad but failed to explode, Express News reported on Friday.

The suspect entered the Jamia Masjid while prayers were in progress. When the attacker’s jacket did not explode, he fired indiscriminately killing a guard of the mosque and injuring two people.

Initial reports suggest the bomber got into a scuffle with the guard, shooting him when he was denied entrance to the main hall of the mosque.  Security personnel in the mosque killed the suicide bomber by firing back.

“The body of the attacker is lying at mosque. Bomb Disposal Squad has been called to defuse the suicide jacket,” reported Express News correspondent.

“It is feared that his jacket might still explode,” said the correspondent.

Local residents gathered in front of the mosque and led a protest against the police for their failure to prevent the bomber from entering the mosque, and for failing to respond to emergency calls in a timely manner.

“The police were called in time but they were unable to take prompt action,” reported Express News’ correspondent.

The mosque is located in the residential area of Bahara Koh, a short distance from the capital’s secure Red Zone.

This is a developing story and will be updated as new information comes in.