A SUICIDE bomber killed 31 people at a Shi’ite mosque near Islamabad during Friday prayers, wounding at least 169 others, officials said.

Today’s attack on the Khadija Al-Kubra mosque was a rare bombing in Pakistan’s capital, as the government struggles to contain a surge in militant violence nationwide.

Footage showed police and residents rushing the wounded to nearby hospitals, with several reported to be in critical condition.

Hussain Shah said he was praying in the courtyard when he heard a loud explosion. 

“I immediately thought that some big attack had happened,” he said, adding that bodies and injured worshippers were scattered across the mosque floor.

No group immediately claimed responsibility, but suspicion fell on militant organisations such as the Pakistani Taliban or Isis, both of which have previously targeted Shi’ite worshippers. 

Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif said preliminary findings suggested the bomber had travelled to and from Afghanistan and opened fire on guards before detonating explosives.

The attack drew condemnation from Afghan authorities and international and Pakistani leaders, who pledged full medical support for the wounded and justice for the victims.