Islamabad was struck by a deadly suicide bombing on , targeting a Shiite mosque during Friday prayers. The attack at the Imam Bargah Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra in the Tarlai area has claimed the lives of at least 31 people and injured 169 others, according to Islamabad’s Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon.
The explosion occurred as worshippers gathered for prayers, and initial reports suggest the attacker was intercepted at the mosque’s gate before detonating the explosives. Two police officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed this sequence of events. The blast caused significant damage to the gate structure and shattered windows in nearby buildings, scattering debris across the road.
Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the immediate aftermath. Sarfraz Shah, who had attended the mosque with his brother Manzar Shah, described hearing gunshots followed by a massive explosion. “It threw people here and there. There was smoke. No one knew what had happened. Then there was blood everywhere,” he recounted, adding that he later discovered his brother was among those killed.
Rescue teams swiftly responded to the scene, transporting the injured to hospitals including the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Polyclinic Hospital, and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) hospital. An emergency was declared at all three facilities to cope with the influx of casualties. PIMS reported receiving at least 18 bodies and over 78 injured individuals.
The attack prompted immediate condemnation from Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who expressed their condolences to the families of the victims. President Zardari described the targeting of innocent civilians as “a crime against humanity,” while Prime Minister Sharif affirmed the nation’s solidarity with those affected.
A police spokesperson stated that a full investigation into the incident is underway. Security personnel have cordoned off the area, and authorities are working to gather evidence and identify those responsible.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, which occurs against a backdrop of escalating militancy in Pakistan. The country’s security forces are currently engaged in battling insurgencies in both the southern and northern provinces bordering Afghanistan. While bombings are relatively rare in the heavily guarded capital, Islamabad, Pakistan has experienced a resurgence of militant activity in recent years.
The attack also highlights the vulnerability of Shiite Muslims in Pakistan, who have historically been targeted in sectarian violence. The country’s predominantly Sunni Muslim population has seen periods of heightened tensions between the two communities.
This latest incident follows a similar suicide bombing in Islamabad on , which resulted in 12 deaths and 27 injuries. Pakistani authorities attributed that attack to an Afghan national, though no group claimed responsibility.
Simultaneously, Pakistan’s forces are facing increased pressure in Balochistan province, where recent attacks claimed by separatist insurgents resulted in the deaths of 36 civilians and 22 security personnel. These attacks prompted a large-scale counter-operation by security forces, reportedly resulting in the deaths of nearly 200 militants.
The attack on the Imam Bargah Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra raises concerns about the potential for further escalation of violence in Pakistan and the broader region. The proximity of the attack to the Afghan border also underscores the challenges Pakistan faces in addressing cross-border militancy and maintaining security within its borders. The investigation will likely focus on potential links between the attackers and militant groups operating in Afghanistan, as preliminary investigations point to such groups, according to reports.
The incident is likely to prompt a reassessment of security measures at religious sites and public spaces across Pakistan, as well as a renewed focus on counter-terrorism efforts. The government’s response will be closely watched by both domestic and international observers, as Pakistan navigates a complex security landscape and seeks to maintain stability in the face of ongoing threats.
