At least 58 people were killed, and almost 200 were injured in a suicide bombing at a Shi'ite Muslim mosque in Peshawar, northwest Pakistan.

Islamic State claimed responsibility for the bombing in a statement, making it one of the group's most significant operations within Pakistan.

An armed man riding a motorbike near the mosque opened fire when police halted him, senior police officer Haroon Rasheed said. He then forced his way into a crowded hall and detonated his suicide vest.

He said the shooter began by shooting at the police guards stationed at the mosque's entrance, killing one of them. "The armed man entered the mosque and started firing on the worshippers and finally blew himself up," Rasheed continued.

Previously, authorities stated that two males were driving the motorcycle.

The attack is the bloodiest in recent years against Pakistan's Shi'ite minority, which has long been targeted by Sunni Muslim Islamist militant groups such as Islamic State and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), better known as the Pakistani Taliban.

The Pakistani Taliban issued a statement to Reuters distancing themselves from the incident.

According to officials at nearby Lady Reading Hospital, numerous injured were in severe condition, who updated the previous death toll.

Sardar Hussain, who lost three relatives in the blast, said the mosque served as the Shi'ite community's only place of worship in Peshawar's old city.

Until the military initiated a crackdown on terrorists in 2014, attacks by Islamist rebels had become practically regular occurrences in Pakistan.

'Spread of Panic'

Worshippers had come for Friday prayers at the mosque in Peshawar when congregations are typically the highest.

"When the firing began, panic spread among the worshippers. I fled to reclaim my life "According to one man who requested anonymity, Reuters spoke with him at a hospital where he was receiving treatment for his injuries.

"Suddenly, a man entered and began firing... He shot numerous individuals before closing his eyes and blowing himself up. Following that, I have no idea what occurred,"'He stated.

According to his office, Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan denounced the incident.

The attack occurs while the Australian cricket team visits Pakistan for the first time in more than two decades, staying in Islamabad, 140 kilometers (87 miles) from Peshawar.

Due to security concerns, Pakistan has resumed hosting international teams after being forced to relocate many of their high-profile international events to the UAE.

Following the incident, Australian cricket coach Andrew McDonald stated that the team would be escorted by security professionals while in Pakistan.