Over 70 die as Islamist fanatics target rival Muslims at prayer

At least seven attackers, including three suicide bombers, took part and several people were held hostage.

The attacks in Lahore against the Ahmadi community illustrate the threat minority religious groups face in Pakistan where sectarianism has been exacerbated by the violent rise of the Sunni extremist Taliban and al-Qaida movements.

Ahmadis are reviled as heretics by mainstream Muslims for their belief that their sect's founder was a saviour foretold by the Koran.

The group has experienced years of state-sanctioned discrimination and occasional attacks by radical Sunni Muslims in Pakistan, but never before in such a large and coordinated fashion.

The attacks took place in the Model Town and Garhi Shuha districts of Lahore, Pakistan's second-largest city and one of its politically and militarily most important.

The assault at Model Town was brief, with at least 20 people killed.

Several miles away at Garhi Shahu, the standoff lasted hours.

One attacker climbed the minaret of the mosque, firing an assault rifle and throwing hand grenades.

Outside police traded shots with the gunmen.

Inside, attackers were suspected of holding worshippers hostages.

Lahore's deputy commissioner Sajjad Bhutta said at least seven attackers were involved in the two attacks. Three of them at Garhi Shahu exploded their suicide vests when commandoes stormed the mosque.

Outside one of the mosques, a witness complained of police inaction when the attackers struck.

"I asked the policeman to open fire.

"He told me he could not because he only had four bullets in his gun," said Ghalib Hussain.

Emergency worker Dr Rizan Nasir said 20 people had been killed in one mosque.

Pakistan has seen scores of attacks by groups of Islamist militants against government, western and security force targets over the past three years, with several taking place in Lahore in particular.

Many Islamist militants believe it is permissible or honourable to kill non-Muslims, or even those Muslims who do not share their views.

The Ahmadis call themselves Muslims but believe their founder declared himself a prophet centuries after Muhammad, who other Muslims believe was the final prophet.

An Ahmadi spokesman said the sect abhors violence and was deeply concerned about the attacks.

Waseem Sayed, who is based in the US, said: "We are a peaceful people and monitoring the situation and hoping and praying that the authorities are able to take all necessary action to bring the situation to normalcy with the least number of casualties."