Islamabad Imambargah Suicide Bombers Kill 32; Over 160 injured; President, Prime Minister condemn the explosion
An elderly man tries to comfort his younger companion, devastated by the death of loved ones in a suicide attack on an Imambargah in Islamabad. Photo: Reuters
ISLAMABAD:
A devastating suicide bombing tore through a packed Imambargah in Islamabad’s Tarlai area on Friday, leaving at least 32 worshipers martyred and more than 160 injured as the federal capital was rocked to its core by one of the deadliest terror attacks it has seen in recent years, police and administration said.
The attacker detonated explosives while worshipers were offering Friday prayers at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra on the outskirts of the city. The force of the explosion, which was heard hundreds of meters away, sent shock waves through nearby neighborhoods, sparking panic and confusion as people fled for safety.
Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon confirmed that 32 people were killed and 169 others injured, several of them critically. Among the martyrs was a cousin of Islamabad Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi.
Two police officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, said the attacker was stopped at the gate of the imambargah before detonating the bomb. State broadcaster PTV News reported that the bomber has been identified.
In a post on social media platform X, PTV News said the attacker had traveled to Afghanistan several times and had arrived from there some time ago, claiming he had received training across the border. Official verification of these claims was not immediately available.
Videos circulating on social media showed worshipers dead or injured inside the imambargah, with debris and broken glass strewn across the carpeted prayer hall. Some injured people were also seen outside on the lawns as survivors shouted for help.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. Similar abuses have previously been attributed to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP).
However, some police sources blamed ‘Fitna al-Khawarij’.
In its submission, PTV News also said that terrorist groups present in Afghanistan pose a wider regional security threat and claimed a link between Afghanistan and India behind attacks in Pakistan.
Police, rescue 1122, fire brigade and other emergency personnel reached the scene shortly after the explosion and initiated rescue and relief operations.
The injured were shifted to various hospitals in the capital, including Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Polyclinic Hospital and Capital Development Authority (CDA) Hospital, where a state of emergency was declared.
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said the government was using all available resources to ensure the best possible treatment for the victims, adding that no negligence would be tolerated as he personally oversaw the response.
He condemned the attack and those who target innocent civilians as enemies of humanity.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, accompanied by Prime Minister Talal Chaudhry and the Islamabad Police Chief, visited the imambargah and prayed.
The prayers were led by the same imam who had led the service at the time of the suicide bombing and were attended by a large number of local residents.
After the prayer, Naqvi said: “This attack was not aimed at a particular community; it was an attack on the unity of Pakistan and humanity.”
“The aim of terrorists is to spread fear and division. Pakistan’s response will be unity and full enforcement of the state’s subpoena. Those responsible will soon be brought to justice.”
President, Prime Minister
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the blast and expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of precious lives.
In their separate messages, the President and the Prime Minister offered heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for the elevation of the ranks of those martyred in the incident.
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.
Prime Minister Shehbaz, while talking to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, ordered that the incident be thoroughly investigated and that those responsible be identified and brought to justice immediately.
He also directed the health minister to ensure immediate medical treatment of the injured and asked him to personally supervise the relief efforts.
He emphasized that no one would be allowed to create chaos and unrest in the country.
