ISLAMABAD: A suicide bomber detonated himself inside an imambargah during Friday prayers in Islamabad, martyring at least 32 people and leaving 169 others injured, the police and district administration confirmed.
The suicide bomber detonated himself at the entrance of Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra in the federal capital's Tarlai area, eyewitnesses said, adding that the attackers opened fire before the blast.
The imambargah is about 30 metres from the main gate, eyewitnesses said. When the attacker reached the gate, guards tried to stop him, prompting an exchange of fire.
“They said the bomber dashed at least 20 metres inside the imambargah building and struck while the prayers were underway,” eyewitnesses told Geo News.
Following the tragic incident, rescue teams rushed to the site and shifted the bodies and the injured to the hospitals. Law enforcement agencies — including Pakistan Army troops and Rangers — cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into the incident.
Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon said that an emergency has been imposed at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Polyclinic Hospital and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) hospital.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the suicide attack. However, police sources said the attack was carried out by terrorists linked to the “Fitna al-Khawarij.”
In another important development, Peshawar law enforcement agencies raided the house of the Islamabad bombing suspect, police sources said.
During the action, two brothers of the suspected attacker and a woman were taken into custody, according to the sources.
Investigators said they recovered the suspected bomber’s identity card at the blast site, which showed his name as Yasir, 32, a resident of Peshawar, according to the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
They added that the attacker had been living in Afghanistan for the past five months, where he received training in the use of weapons and suicide bombing.
A search is underway in Peshawar and Nowshera to trace the bomber’s network and facilitators, while investigations into different aspects of the attack are continuing, police officials said.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif sees footprints of India and Afghanistan behind the recent terrorist attack in the federal capital.
“After suffering a humiliating defeat [last year in May], India is [now] waging war through proxies as it no longer dares to fight directly,” he added. The minister vowed that the state would respond to this brutality with full force.
Addressing a press conference, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said that the suicide bomber has been identified.
“The suicide bomber was not an Afghan national but had visited Afghanistan multiple times,” he added.
The minister said the terrorists were targeting soft targets, adding that IG Islamabad’s cousin was among those martyred in the suicide blast.
Later in the day, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal visited PIMS and Polyclinic to check on the victims of the suicide attack. He met with the injured and reviewed the medical facilities being provided to them.
“This is a very tragic and heart-wrenching incident,” he said.
Kamal added that the hospitals were put on alert immediately after the attack, and senior health ministry officials were monitoring the situation closely.
At PIMS, 149 cases have been received, including 28 bodies, while 121 injured patients are under treatment, 25 of whom are in critical condition, according to the health minister.
"Four bodies and 13 injured were brought to Polyclinic, where at least four patients are in critical condition, while all 10 operating theatres at PIMS are fully functional,” Kamal said, adding, “All arrangements are in place, including medicines and blood. "
"Patients at PIMS and Polyclinic are receiving the best possible care, and no negligence is being allowed, while every available resource is being used for the treatment of the injured.”
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam cancelled all her Basant-related activities that were scheduled for tomorrow in the wake of the Islamabad tragedy.
In solidarity with the families of the victims of the Islamabad suicide blast, the Sindh government has cancelled the musical program at the Cultural Night, said provincial Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon.
Memon said that a dinner in honour of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association would be held without music, keeping the event simple and solemn.
President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep grief and sorrow over the blast and offered condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the blast and prayed for their patience.
President Zardari said that targeting innocent people was a crime against humanity and reaffirmed that the entire nation stood shoulder to shoulder with the affected families in this hour of grief.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has condemned the bombing. He expressed deep sorrow and grief over the martyrdoms in the blast and extended his sympathies to the bereaved families.
The prime minister, while speaking with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, directed that the incident be thoroughly investigated and those responsible be identified and brought to justice immediately.
He also instructed the health minister to ensure immediate medical treatment for the injured and asked him to personally monitor the relief efforts.
He stressed that no one would be allowed to create chaos and unrest in the country.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also strongly condemned the suicide attack on innocent worshippers during the Friday prayers.
“Targeting places of worship and civilians is a heinous crime against humanity and a blatant violation of Islamic principles,” he added.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the tragic blast at the imambargah in Islamabad deeply saddened her.
She wrote on X: "My heart goes out to the victims and their families during this painful time."
Separately, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, expressed deep grief over the blast and extended condolences and sympathy to the families of the martyrs, while praying for the early recovery of the injured.
He strongly condemned the “brutal and cowardly” attack and said that such a terrorist incident in the federal capital was not only a serious failure to protect human lives but also raised major questions over the performance of the administration.
The opposition leader said targeting places of worship was a direct assault on humanity, religion and social values and could not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry also said that he strongly condemns, in the strongest terms, the tragic explosion. “My heart is deeply grieved by the loss of precious lives in this cowardly act.”
Former finance minister Miftah Ismail termed the incident “absolutely horrendous” and wondered how anyone could bomb Friday prayers in a mosque.
The heinous attack was also condemned by several prominent leaders, who termed it an attack against humanity, peace, and religious values.
