Stamped in mosque as tobacco can sets off panic

Worshipers in Hola town took to their heels during Friday prayers after an unknown object in a bag was found hidden among shoes at the mosque's entrance.

The package left among the shoes sparked anxiety and a worshiper who had seen it alerted the police.

As word spread that a suspected explosive had been cited, worshipers filed out in panic  as police cordoned the mosque.

The imam who was leading the midday prayers cut them short as worshipers stampeded out, leaving him alone inside.

Police moved in and secured the suspect luggage and which upon investigation turned out to be metallic container filled with tobacco.

The wire cable attached to it turned out to be a homemade device the owner of the container had created to funnel out the tobacco.

The imam of the mosque, Sheikh Ali asked those going for prayers to keep away any suspicious objects