ISLAMABAD/ PESHAWAR: Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that India is providing funding and targets to terrorists in Pakistan, and is involved in terrorism occurring around the world.
“We are in a state of war; community intelligence must be improved. Many terrorist groups are operating from Afghanistan. The entire planning of the Islamabad blast took place in Afghanistan, the mastermind is linked to ISIS and is in our custody,” he said while addressing a press conference here on Saturday.
The attack, which occurred during Friday prayers, resulted in the deaths of at least 33 worshippers and left 169 others injured.
The interior minister said that we share the grief of victims of the suicide attack equally. “Terrorists are attacking innocent civilians like cowards.”
He said that many terrorist plots have been thwarted due to the operations of intelligence agencies. “The entire planning of the blast was done from Afghanistan. The suicide bomber went to Afghanistan for training. Many terrorist groups are operating from Afghanistan while all funding and targets for ISIS were being provided by India.”
During the operation, one official was martyred and three were injured. Security agencies have arrested all those responsible for the blast, he said. Four facilitators were arrested in Nowshera and Peshawar, said Naqvi.
“We will provide further briefings in the coming days. By 3am on Saturday, all individuals in contact with the suicide bomber had been arrested. The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa played a key role in the arrests,” said, adding that many terrorist plots have been thwarted due to the operations of intelligence agencies.
Naqvi said that after May 2025 war with India, funding for terrorists by India was tripled. “We are aware of all these matters. A terrorist who previously received $500 is now receiving $1,500,” he said, hoping one day, the world will break its silence on India’s terrorism.
The minister said the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has been banned globally. He stated that all funding and targets for banned organisations are being provided by India, which has kept these terrorist organisations on the frontlines.
The federal interior minister said that India was operating from behind the scenes. “The world may not speak today, but one day every country will name India as the patron of terrorists.”
Naqvi said that after failing to win the 2025 war, India was now trying terrorsim but even if India increases its budget tenfold, we will still defeat them. He said that whether it is Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or Balochistan, we are currently in a state of war.
“Community intelligence is important. I say with confidence that one blast occurred, but 99 blasts have also been prevented.”
He said that in all the terrorist attacks in Balochistan, those who came did not return alive. “BLA makes videos that are broadcast on Indian media.” He said that terrorism was a regional threat, and the world should raise its voice. We are fighting a war against terrorism and are burying our own people.
He said that an enemy is an enemy; there are no categories for enemies. “Do not categorise those waging war on Pakistan. If the world does not raise its voice, it will see how much it will lose. Terrorist organisations are carrying out operations together. With the cooperation of the nation, we will continue to thwart the nefarious designs of terrorists.”
Naqvi acknowledged resource constraints within Pakistan’s security apparatus, saying the budget was far lower than often claimed. “I wish I could meet all the requirements of our security forces. There are small things they need that I cannot provide due to financial issues.”
He added that terrorists possess advanced American weapons and technology left behind in Afghanistan, creating an imbalance that Pakistan must urgently address.
Naqvi also outlined upcoming security upgrades for the capital, including reinforcement of 93 entry points, improvements to Islamabad’s smart-security system, and recruitment of 6,000 new police personnel to address the ageing force.
“We will close the gaps. Pakistan remains safe and we will continue fighting,” he said, adding that further briefings would follow as investigations progress.
Meanwhile, at least four suspects were arrested in connection with the suicide bombing in Islamabad from Peshawar and Nowshera, it was learnt.
Though the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa senior police officials were tightlipped about the arrests and refused to comment when they were approached, a source said the Counter-Terrorism Department and law-enforcement agencies conducted operations in different areas of Peshawar and Nowshera districts and held four suspects. They were said to be the facilitators of suicide bomber involved in Friday’s Islamabad attack.
The sources said the suspected facilitators were held during raids in Chamkani, Tarnab and some areas of Nowshera. The held suspects were shifted to an unknown location for interrogation.
Earlier, senior officials said the suicide bomber lived in Peshawar after returning from Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, in the wake of suicide bombing in Islamabad, police and security forces carried out a joint intelligence-based operation against terrorists in Nowshera. The operation was conducted in the Hakimabad Dheri Katikhel area after reports were received about the presence of terrorists.
Mardan Region DIG Rabnawaz Khan confirmed the operation and said that an intense exchange of fire took place between security forces and the militants. As a result, one terrorist was killed on the spot. However, during the retaliatory firing by the terrorists, Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Ijaz Khan was martyred, while ASI Khan Sher Khan and Constable Hazrat Ali sustained injuries.
According to the DIG, several suspects were taken into custody during the operation and were shifted to an undisclosed location for further interrogation and to obtain additional information.
Meanwhile, the funeral prayers of martyred ASI were offered with full official honours in Nizampur, Nowshera. The funeral was attended by police, civil and military officials, family members of the martyr and a large number of citizens. According to a police spokesperson, the martyred officer was laid to rest with official honours in his native area.
Police said that a search operation was going on to arrest any other terrorists possibly present in the area, while security had been further tightened.
The breakthrough in the investigation came after authorities recovered the National Identity Card of the attacker, identified as Yasir Khan, a resident of Nowshera.
In a subsequent move, authorities apprehended the suicide bomber’s brother-in-law, who is allegedly a central figure in the planning and logistical support of the network. He has been transferred to a central investigation facility for high-level interrogation.
The scope of the investigation expanded further into Islamabad’s residential sectors, where the mother of the bomber was taken into custody from an upscale neighbourhood. Intelligence officials stated they possess concrete evidence linking her to the group’s activities.
Security sources have formally attributed the planning of the suicide mission to ISIS elements operating within Afghanistan. Investigators further alleged that technical and human intelligence has uncovered a nexus between the ISIS and Indian intelligence agencies—a development officials believe will prove instrumental in dismantling the remaining militant cells within Pakistan. Forensic analysis indicates that the suicide vest used in the capital blast contained approximately four to six kilograms of high explosives.
In response to the ongoing crackdown against the Fitna-al-Khawarij network, the government has placed all border crossings and routes leading to Afghanistan on high alert to prevent the escape of remaining suspects. Intelligence officials expressed confidence that further tangible results from the current operations will emerge within the next 24 hours.
Separately, addressing a press conference at Jamia Minhaj-ul-Hussain in Lahore, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said that terrorists cannot demoralise the nation and that terrorism will be eradicated from its roots, while all facilitators will be brought to justice.
He said the state is fully determined to protect the lives and property of citizens and to safeguard places of worship. He stressed that no one would be allowed to disturb law and order or spread sectarianism in the country, adding that killing humanity for a few coins is a heinous and condemnable crime.
Tarar said the entire country is mourning the Islamabad incident, adding that the government stands shoulder to shoulder with the families of martyrs and will not leave the bereaved families alone.
On the directions of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he said, all possible medical facilities are being provided to the injured, while the Pakistan Army continues to make great sacrifices for national security. He said that on the special instructions of the prime minister, he visited the area with a heavy heart to offer condolences and reassurance. He reiterated that no one would be allowed to spread chaos and unrest in the country and that all those involved in the incident would be brought to justice soon.
Condemning the blast, the minister expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious human lives and conveyed heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved families. He said targeting worshipers is a cowardly and despicable act that deserves the strongest condemnation. He reiterated that the state remains resolute in protecting the lives, property and places of worship of its citizens.
The minister said terrorists have no religion or faith and their sole purpose is to carry out inhumane and shameful acts. He said those who kill humanity for a few coins are not humans but savage beasts, and calling them human is an insult to humanity. He added that terrorist elements operating in Pakistan have foreign backing, and enemies want to undermine Pakistan’s peace, unity and development. The nation, he said, is united against them, and extremism and terrorism will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
The federal minister claimed that the suicide bomber had received terrorist training in Afghanistan and that planted elements from India and Afghanistan were involved behind the attacks. He said forensic teams and security agencies have collected evidence from the site and further investigations are going on, adding that complete facts would soon be presented before the public. He said that on the prime minister’s directions, the federal interior minister met the Imambargah administration and assured them of full cooperation. The prime minister has ordered a complete and transparent investigation into the incident and directed the immediate identification of those responsible. He added that under the prudent leadership of Shehbaz Sharif, the Paigham-e-Aman Committee has been established to promote peace and counter the narrative of terrorists, with representation from all schools of thought.
Tarar said that 170 injured persons are being provided all possible medical facilities and reiterated that the families of martyrs would not be left alone.
Responding to questions, he said terrorists are breathing their last and no longer have access to hard targets, which is why they are targeting soft targets in remote areas. He said terrorists are nearing their end and will soon be eliminated there as well.
He said the Pakistan Army and security institutions are working day and night to make the country a cradle of peace. Despite terrorists targeting even the families and relatives of security personnel, he said such attacks do not weaken the national resolve but further strengthen it.
The minister said the professionalism of Pakistan’s security forces is recognised worldwide and that intelligence-based operations are continuously under way. He added that global intelligence agencies acknowledged Pakistan’s successful operation in the Jaffar Express incident. Tarar said, “Our resolve is very clear: we will not spare the terrorists. Peace and order had been restored after Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad and Operation Zarb-e-Azb. The mindset of Taliban Khan brought these terrorists back and settled them here, and today we are facing the consequences.” He said, “Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) is behind this terrorism.”
On the occasion, Dr Hussain Akbar, founder and chief patron of the Jamia, said that targeting a place of worship is a grave crime against humanity. He said the enemy wants to weaken Pakistan, but the entire nation is united against those attempting to destabilise the country. He added that there is no place for terrorism in Pakistan and that those involved in the attack, along with their facilitators, must be brought before the courts and punished according to law.
Later, religious scholars from all schools of thought formed a human chain with the federal minister to demonstrate unity.
Meanwhile, a protest rally was held Saturday to express solidarity with the bereaved families and wounded of Friday’s terrorist attack at a Tarlai masjid, demanded foolproof security for mosques and imambargahs in the twin cities, and called for swift action against the killers and their facilitators. The rally strongly condemned the cowardly attack by a banned terrorist group during Friday prayers at the Khadija Al-Kubra Mosque and Imambargah.
Organised by the Shia Ulema Council Pakistan, Majlis Wahdat Muslimeen Pakistan, Imamia Disaster Management Cell (IDC), Imamia Students Organisation (ISO) Pakistan, and Anjuman Janasaran-e-Ahl-e-Bayt (AS), the rally began at Imambargah Sakina Bint Al-Hussein (AS) in Shakrial.
A large number of mourners, founders of religious gatherings and processions, elderly women and children participated. They carried placards and banners with slogans condemning terrorism, demanding action against banned groups and paying tribute to the martyrs.
Marching on the Expressway, participants chanted slogans honoring the martyrs. Speakers addressing the rally demanded that the government, armed forces and state institutions take decisive action. They stated that terrorists and their facilitators are well-known, belonging to banned Takfiri groups listed by the National Counter-Terrorism Authority (Nacta) and whose leaders are on the Fourth Schedule.
They expressed regret that despite this, such elements are allowed to openly spread sectarianism and issue Takfiri edicts in the federal capital—a situation they called deplorable and requiring serious reflection.
At the rally’s conclusion, a unanimous resolution was passed demanding the immediate arrest of murderers and their facilitators, foolproof security for all mosques and imambargahs in Rawalpindi and Islamabad and indiscriminate action against banned Takfiri groups.
The protest ended peacefully on the Expressway. The organisers thanked the Islamabad police, district administration and security agencies for their cooperation.
Meanwhile, the Tehreek Tahaffuz Aiyeen-e-Pakistan (TTAP) leadership warned of full-fledged public resistance if an immediate and transparent investigation is not conducted into the Tarlai mosque terrorist attack. “We make it clear that if only formal and hollow statements are made regarding this national tragedy, which occurred on Friday, there will be full-fledged constitutional and democratic resistance at the public level,” opposition alliance leaders stated during a condolence visit to Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas.
A delegation led by TTAP chief Mahmood Khan Achakzai—who is also the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly—and including PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja, TTAP Secretary General Asad Qaiser, alliance Vice-Chairman and former senator Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar, and spokesperson Akhunzada Hussain, visited Allama Nasir Abbas to condole the martyrdom of innocent worshippers in the attack. The delegation termed the Imambargah blast a state failure, gross security negligence and a criminal disregard for human lives.
Targeting a place of worship, they underlined, is not only a crime against humanity but also an open attack on the Constitution, law and social values. They emphasised that there is no room for any concessions to such brutal elements.
The delegation offered Fateha for the martyrs, expressed solidarity with the affected families, and demanded an impartial, transparent and immediate investigation into the incident. They urged that perpetrators and facilitators be exposed and given the strictest punishment and called for effective security arrangements at places of worship to be ensured without delay.
Later, the delegation—led by Achakzai and Vice-Chairman Allama Raja Nasir Abbas—visited the blast-injured at the PIMS Hospital. The visit was also joined by Salman Akram Raja, Asad Qaiser, Mustafa Nawaz Khokhar and Akhunzada Hussain.
Meanwhile, the PTI rejected the claims made in Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar’s news conference, claiming that under Imran Khan’s leadership, Pakistan witnessed an unprecedented era of peace. The party asserted that decades of terrorism were nearly eliminated, suicide attacks ceased entirely and the cycle of relentless drone strikes was decisively halted—marking one of the most secure periods in the country’s recent history.
In a statement issued by its Central Media Department, the PTI described the minister’s press conference as misleading, propaganda-driven and based on blatant falsehoods, stressing that repeating lies does not turn them into truth nor rewrite history.
