Mosque bomb plot thwarted after teen captured wearing explosive vest

A young boy wearing a suicide explosive vest who was sent to blow up a Shi'ite mosque in the Iraqi city of Kirkuk has been captured by Kurdish forces.

Moments after the bomb vest was removed. Source: Rudaw

Iraqi Kurdish forces say they have captured a young boy wearing a suicide explosive vest who was sent to blow up a Shi'ite mosque in Kirkuk, in the north of the country, broadcaster Rudaw reports, releasing a video of the incident.

Two police officers are seen in the 30-minute video holding the arms of the boy, aged around 14, who is wearing a suicide vest taped to his body, covered by a Lionel Messi Barcelona football jersey.

A screengrab of the bomb being removed from the boy (supplied) Source: Supplied

The bomb was eventually defused by specialists who arrived at the scene. The incident took place after dark on Sunday.

Rudaw reported a second child suicide bomber had exploded just hours earlier in Kirkuk. The boy who was captured said the one who exploded himself was his brother, and they had both been prepared for the attacks by their father.

An Iraqi security official confirmed to DPA that a suicide bombing had been prevented in Kirkuk on Sunday and that an attack on Shi'ites in the area had injured three people.