Pakistan blast kills 31 and injures more than 170

An explosion at a mosque in Islamabad has claimed at least 31 lives and wounded 170 others. It's one of the worst such incidents to hit the Pakistani capital.

The powerful explosion rocked a Shi'ite mosque located in the Shehzad Town area on the outskirts of Islamabad during Friday prayers, which prompted a state of emergency in all major nearby hospitals.

A suicide bomber opened fire before detonating himself among worshippers after being stopped by security guards at the entrance of the mosque, according to Pakistan's defence minister.

Security forces, police and rescue teams cordoned off the site and launched a search operation.

The injured were sent to various hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi for medical treatment.

Burials took place on Saturday for victims of the suicide bombing. Some 2,000 mourners, joined by Shi'ite community leaders and senior government officials, gathered as coffins were brought to the mosque.

Authorities say the death toll could further rise as several of the wounded remain in critical conditions.

An affiliate of the Islamic State has claimed responsibility via the group's Telegram channel.

Police said they have identified the bomber, his facilitators and arrested the mastermind of the attack during overnight raids.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the blast and expressed deep grief over the loss of innocent lives.