A suicide bomb attack near a mosque in Afghanistan killed and wounded at least 25 people killed and at least 40 injuring during Friday prayers, police and health officials said, with the number of casualties expected to rise.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, but police said at least two gunmen had entered the mosque in the city of Gardez in the eastern province of Paktia, where dozens people were praying.

“Initial reports indicate that the militants opened fire and detonated an explosive,” said Sardar Vali Tabassum, a Gardez police officer, Reuters reported.

Police said they were trying to enter the mosque premises to help the injured.