Islamabad, Pakistan – A suicide bombing at a Shia mosque on the outskirts of Islamabad on , has killed at least 31 people and injured over 169 others, according to Pakistani officials. The attack, which occurred during Friday prayers, has prompted a state of emergency in hospitals across Islamabad and the neighboring city of Rawalpindi.
The blast ripped through the Khadija Tul Kubra Mosque, a significant place of worship for the Shia community. Police have confirmed the incident was a suicide attack and have cordoned off the area for investigation. Rescuers and witnesses described a chaotic scene, with bodies and wounded individuals lying on the mosque’s floor.
“Bodies were lying everywhere” when he arrived at the scene, said the mosque’s caretaker, according to reports. Another witness recalled hearing gunfire erupt as prayers began, followed by a period of continued shooting before the explosion. A rescue official reported to the BBC that the gunfire persisted for some time prior to the blast.
The Islamic State group has claimed responsibility for the attack, releasing a statement via Telegram hours after the incident. This claim has not been independently verified, but comes amid a pattern of similar attacks attributed to the group in the region.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack as a “crime against humanity,” emphasizing that it targeted innocent civilians. The scale of the casualties suggests a deliberate attempt to inflict maximum damage on worshippers. The deputy commissioner of Islamabad reported at least 169 injuries in addition to the 31 confirmed deaths, and warned that the death toll is “expected to rise further.”
The attack is particularly sensitive given the history of sectarian violence in Pakistan. Shia Muslims have frequently been targeted by extremist groups, and mosques have been a common site for such attacks. While Islamabad has generally experienced a lower level of violence compared to other parts of the country, this bombing represents a significant escalation of security concerns in the capital.
Hussain Shah, a witness who was praying in the mosque courtyard at the time of the explosion, described the immediate aftermath. “I immediately thought that some big attack had happened,” he said. He recounted finding “utter chaos” inside the mosque, with many wounded individuals screaming for help. Shah estimated seeing approximately 30 bodies within the mosque itself, with a significantly larger number of injured.
The response to the bombing has been swift, with emergency services mobilized to transport the wounded to hospitals. Police commandos have been deployed to secure the area and maintain order. An investigation is underway to determine the precise details of the attack, including the identity of the bomber and any potential accomplices.
The attack raises questions about the security situation in Pakistan and the ability of authorities to protect vulnerable communities. While the government has taken steps to counter terrorism in recent years, the persistence of extremist groups and their capacity to carry out attacks remains a serious challenge. The targeting of a Shia mosque specifically underscores the ongoing sectarian tensions within the country.
The international community has offered condolences and expressed concern over the bombing. The incident is likely to draw renewed attention to the issue of religious extremism and the need for greater regional cooperation to address the threat. The attack also highlights the vulnerability of religious sites to terrorist attacks, a concern shared by many countries around the world.
The bombing at the Khadija Tul Kubra Mosque represents a tragic loss of life and a stark reminder of the challenges Pakistan faces in combating terrorism and maintaining security. The investigation will be crucial in identifying those responsible and bringing them to justice, while also addressing the underlying factors that contribute to extremism and violence in the region. The focus now is on providing medical care to the injured and supporting the families of the victims.
