DM Monitoring
ISLAMABAD: At least 31 people were martyred and 169 others were injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up inside an imambargah during Friday prayer in Islamabad’s Tarlai area, confirmed officials.
The explosion occurred at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra in Islamabad’s Tarlai area.
The suicide bomber detonated himself after being stopped at the entrance of the mosque, eyewitnesses told media, adding that the terrorists first opened fired and then resorted to the bombing.
The eyewitnesses further said that the main door is at least 30 metres away from the imambargah’s gate, adding that when the terrorist reached the main gate, guards tried to stop him, following which an exchange of fire took place.
“He then ran inside at least 20 metres, and as the prayer was underway, he blew himself up,” the eyewitnesses told media.
Following the tragic incident, rescue teams rushed to the site and shifted the bodies and 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.
The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) administration said that at least 18 bodies were brought to the hospital, while more than 78 injured were also received.
Authorities at Rawalpindi’s Benazir Bhutto Hospital said four injured were brought to the hospital, where one of them later died during treatment.
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.”
‘Suicide bomber’s travel history to Afghanistan confirmed’
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif sees footprints of India and Afghanistan behind the recent terrorist attack in the federal capital.
The defence czar said the preliminary investigations confirmed the terrorist involved in the attack had travelled to Afghanistan multiple times.
“After suffering a humiliating defeat [last year in May], India is [now] waging war through proxies as it no longer has the courage 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 has 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.
The suicide bomber’s identity was confirmed through the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) record, said police sources.
“The suicide bomber hailed from Peshawar and was 32 years old,” the sources added.
Emergency imposed in Islamabad hospitals
Meanwhile, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal imposed an emergency across all federally administered government hospitals in the capital.
“Emergency services at PIMS and the Polyclinic are fully functional,” he said.
Kamal added that the leaves of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff have been cancelled.
“The government is utilising all available resources for the treatment of the injured,” he said.
Condemning the attack, the health minister termed the suicide bombing “highly deplorable” and said those targeting innocent civilians were “enemies of humanity”.
He warned that negligence in the treatment of the injured would not be tolerated.
Punjab CM cancels Basant-related activities
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam cancelled all her Basant-related activities that were scheduled for tomorrow in the wake of the Islamabad tragedy.
Sindh govt cancels musical programme
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.
Condolences pour in
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.
