ISLAMABAD:
At least 31 worshippers were killed and dozens more injured when a massive bomb tore through an imambargah in the Tarlai area of Islamabad on Friday, police and administration officials confirmed, adding that the bomber had “travelled to Afghanistan”.
The explosion went off just as worshippers were offering Friday prayers at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra on the outskirts of Islamabad. The blast was so powerful that it was heard within a radius of hundreds of metrers, whipping up fear and panic among residents.
Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon confirmed that at least 31 people have been killed and 169 others injured – some of them critically.
Preliminary reports indicate a possible suicide bombing, with two unnamed police official telling Reuters that the attacker was stopped at the gate of the imambargah before detonating the bomb. Administration officials, however, said it was too early to speculate on the nature of the blast.
A statement issued by state broadcaster PTV News on X quoted government sources as saying that the suicide bomber had been identified.
“According to confirmed information, the suicide bomber received training for terrorist operations from Afghanistan. The suicide bomber has travelled to Afghanistan multiple times and arrived from Afghanistan some time ago. Various terrorist groups present in Afghanistan pose a threat to the security of the entire region under the patronage of the Taliban regime. Behind every terrorist operation in Pakistan is a nexus between Afghanistan and India.”
Similar links were raised by federal ministers who blamed India and Afghanistan for the attack. Addressing the media later, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry also said the assailant was identified, adding that although he was not Afghan, he had “travelled to Afghanistan”.
Videos circulating on social media and WhatsApp showed several worshippers dead or injured, lying in pools of blood inside the imambargah, as debris and shattered glass littered the carpeted floor. Some casualties could also been seen on the lawns and survivors could be seen calling for help.
Police, Rescue 1122, fire brigade and other emergency teams reached the site shortly after the incident and launched rescue and relief operations. The casualties were driven to different hospitals of the capital, including the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Polyclinic, and Capital Development Authority hospitals, where a state of emergency has been declared.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing, but similar attacks in the past had been carried out by the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). Some police sources blamed the “Fitna al-khawarij”, a blanket term Pakistani officials use for the TTP and its allies.
The blast site has been completely sealed to allow the Bomb Disposal Squad and forensic teams to collect evidence, while Islamabad Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi has placed the federal capital on high alert. Security forces, including police and rescue teams, have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation, with additional personnel stationed at sensitive locations and city entry points.
Authorities are investigating the cause and nature of the explosion and have issued a public appeal to avoid spreading rumors and to cooperate fully with law enforcement as the situation remains under close monitoring.
Health Minister Mustafa Kamal issued urgent directives with an emergency declared in all federal government hospitals.
According to a statement from the health ministry spokesperson, Kamal stated that the availability of medicines, medical equipment, and other essential arrangements was being ensured at all costs.
It said leaves for doctors, nurses and paramedical staff were cancelled to ensure timely and quality medical facilities for the injured.
The statement said emergency services at all federal hospitals were fully operational.
Kamal emphasised that the government was utilizing all resources for the treatment of the victims, adding that no negligence would be tolerated as he was personally monitoring the situation. He condemned the suicide blast as a tragic event, labeling those targeting innocent citizens as enemies of humanity.
A spokesperson for PIMS said the emergency was declared on the instructions of the hospital’s executive director.
On the instructions of Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Talal visited PIMS Hospital. Chaudhry met with patients receiving treatment for injuries sustained in the blast. He directed that special medical facilities be provided for the blast victims and stated that the government is committed to ensuring all possible medical support for the injured.
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry visited Federal Government Polyclinic and said that it was a “very tragic incident and an extremely cowardly act” by the terrorists to attack in this manner.
“They are the enemies of Islam, the enemies of Pakistan. We will end terrorism from our country, we will continue this fight till every one of these people are brought to justice. We want peace in the region but our neighbors, especially India, has been very active in terror activities in Pakistan. They are involved in the recent attacks in Balochistan, FATA and now in Islamabad,” he said while talking to the media.
The minister said hospitals were instructed to administer proper care to the injured. “We are trying to provide all the services we can to the injured and stand with the families of the fallen,” he added.
The Islamabad blast comes in the wake of a spate of recent attacks across Pakistan, including multiple deadly incidents in Balochistan targeting security forces and civilians. The Inter-Services Public Relations said a day ago that security forces had successfully concluded “Operation Raddul-Fitna-1” in Balochistan, killing 216 terrorists in a series of coordinated, intelligence-based operations (IBOs) targeting what the military described as Indian-sponsored terrorist elements,
In November, an attack on the District Judicial Complex in G-11 area of Islamabad killed at least 12 people and injured more than 36 others. In that attack, a suicide attacker attempted to enter court premises but detonated explosives near a police vehicle after being intercepted, causing widespread panic and damage to vehicles nearby.
The attack also comes amid the visit of the Uzbek president to Pakistan for a two-day stay. Earlier this week, the Kazakh president also visited the country.
Security tightened in Rawalpindi
A statement from the Rawalpindi police spokesperson said the force had placed the city on high alert following the explosion.
According to the statement, security was significantly tightened at mosques and imambargahs across the city, with authorities ordering the immediate removal of all encroachments outside religious sites to ensure clear surroundings and minimise risks.
It added that police established strict blockades at all entry and exit points of the city, while additional personnel were deployed to protect the places of worship of the Christian community in Rawalpindi Cantt.
Rawalpindi City Police Officer Syed Khalid Hamdani directed all superintendents and sub-divisional police officers to remain in sensitive areas to personally oversee security arrangements.
Furthermore, it said Rescue 1122 and Civil Defence were put on high alert to respond to any potential emergency, while the Safe City Control Room had begun round-the-clock monitoring of the city.
The statement said the police urged citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the Rescue 15 helpline immediately.
A later statement said that police in the surrounding areas were also put on high alert to ensure security.
Hamdani has instructed senior police officials to personally monitor security duties with extra personnel deployed around entry and exit points, as well as at key installations and buildings.
Elite and Dolphin Force formations were ordered to maintain continuous patrolling with Hamdani directing that strict monitoring of suspicious individuals and vehicles be conducted.
He further mandated that police personnel wear bulletproof jackets and kits during snap checking on highways.
Meanwhile, Punjab Chief Minister said that 25 fully equipped emergency ambulances were dispatched to Islamabad for the victims.
She said all hospitals across Rawalpindi district were placed on high alert, with surgical teams, orthopedic and neurosurgical specialists on standby.
“Blood banks are fully staffed, and operation theatres are fully equipped to ensure prompt and effective medical care for the injured. Pindi commissioner and deputy commissioner have been directed to extend every possible assistance.”
Condemnations pour in
President Asif Ali Zardari expresseed deep grief over the blast in the federal capital and extended condolences to the families of the deceased.
He have instructions to provide all possible medical facilities to the injured.
“Targeting innocent citizens is a crime against humanity. The nation stands with the affected families in this hour of difficulty,” he said.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, after a briefing with the interior minister, ordered an immediate and thorough investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice, asserting that the government would not permit “mischief and unrest” to take root in the country.
He further directed Kamal to personally oversee the medical care for the injured, ensuring they receive the best possible facilities.
Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said targeting places of worship and civilians was a heinous crime against humanity and a blatant violation of Islamic principles.
“Pakistan stands united against terrorism in all its forms. This barbarity will not intimidate us and extremists will be brought to full account.”
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif blamed Afghanistan and India for the incident.
“Those who martyr worshippers in the mosque are enemies of both religion and the homeland. The terrorist involved in the attack has been proven to have been coming and going from Afghanistan. The threads of the alliance between India and the Taliban are being uncovered. The security guards challenged him, in response to which he opened fire and blew himself up in the last row of worshippers with an explosion.
“The state will respond to this oppression with full force. After a humiliating defeat, India is now fighting through its proxies. Alhamdulillah, it no longer has the courage for direct war.”
The parliamentary affairs minister said that such terrorist incidents could not demoralise the nation.
“The need of the hour is that we all stand united for peace, tolerance, and stability, and express complete solidarity with the law enforcement agencies. May God the almighty keep our homeland safe from all kinds of evil and terrorism.”
“Strongly condemn the cowardly blast … My heart goes out to the victims’ families. Pakistan stands united against terrorism — we will bring the perpetrators to justice. Praying for the injured’s swift recovery,” said Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar condemned the attack as a “cowardly and hateful act against humanity”, while reaffirming the government’s duty to protect its people.
Acknowledging the pain of the affected families, Tarar vowed that “no one will be allowed to disrupt law and order or sectarian harmony” and that those responsible would be held strictly accountable.
He emphasised that the state remained fully committed to protecting the lives and property of the public, particularly at religious sites, through a rigorous “zero-tolerance policy” against extremist elements. The minister called for national unity, ensuring that all state resources were being mobilised to prevent further “mischief and unrest”.
“Deeply saddened by the tragic blast at an imambargah in Islamabad. My heart goes out to the victims and their families during this painful time. Prayers for the swift recovery of the injured, and may God grant patience and strength to all those affected,” said CM Maryam.
Balochistan CM Sarfraz Bugti said that the people of his province were “not unfamiliar with this grief; we know how deep the wound of terrorism is”.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa CM Sohail Afridi said the attack was a “cowardly and inhumane crime” and the “worst example of enmity against humanity”.
Prime Minister’s Spokesperson for Foreign Media Mosharraf Zaidi alleged Indian involvement in the attack.
“Today’s attack at the imambargah in Islamabad is only the latest in a series of murderous terrorist attacks orchestrated by India. India’s terrorist proxies will neither slow down economic recovery, nor divide Pakistani hearts, nor undermine Pakistan’s growing diplomatic capital.”
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Allama Raja Nasir Abbas expressed grief over the “martyrdom of innocent worshippers”, characterising the incident as a direct assault on humanity and a serious failure of the administration to protect its citizens.
He raised sharp questions regarding the performance of law enforcement agencies in the federal capital and made an urgent humanitarian appeal to the youth of Islamabad to visit hospitals for blood donations to save those in critical condition.
Opposition coalition Tehreek Tahaffuz Ain Pakistan appealed to the public and youth to donate blood.
“A strong appeal to the aware and courageous youth of Islamabad: Step forward at this delicate moment, demonstrating the essence of humanity. At this time, there is an urgent need for blood in various hospitals of Islamabad for the injured worshippers. Therefore, all of you participate actively in this noble cause and play your role in saving precious lives.”
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said the attack was “absolutely shocking and deeply disturbing”.
It offered prayers for those killed and injured in the “despicable terrorist attack”.
In a longer statement, the party said: “Targeting a place of worship is an extremely cowardly and inhumane act, which reflects the savagery of the terrorists and is a reprehensible conspiracy to harm peace in Pakistan. PTI fully condemns terrorism and all elements behind it, and demands that the terrorists involved in this heinous crime and their facilitators be brought to immediate justice.”
It further said that the entire nation must stand united so that peace, tolerance and stability could be ensured to eradicate the growing scourge of terrorism.
“We strongly condemn the suicide bombing at the imambargah. We extend our condolences to the affected families — may Allah grant the martyrs a high rank in paradise and bestow patience upon their bereaved loved ones. Now is the time for every terrorist, wherever they may be, to meet their end in the depths of hell — I am hopeful that, God willing, with the cooperation of us all, our provincial and national institutions will succeed in this quagmire,” said PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan.
PTI Central Information Secretary Sheikh Waqas Akram said an assault on a place of worship was not just an act of terror but “an attack on our shared humanity, our religion and the conscience of Pakistan itself”.
He further said that no belief, no grievance and no ideology could ever justify the murder of innocent Muslims, especially within a sacred place meant for prayer, dignity, and peace.
“We stand shoulder to shoulder with the victims, their families targeted by this atrocity. Pakistan belongs to every one of its citizens. Sectarian violence is a deadly poison that fractures our society and empowers only those who wish to see our nation burn. Those responsible along with their facilitators must be identified and punished swiftly and without compromise. This is the moment to reject hatred without ambiguity, to defend every place of worship, and to stand united against extremism in all its forms. Terror has no religion. Violence has no justification. Pakistan must choose peace firmly, finally, and together.”
Her further appealed to party workers to head towards hospitals in the capital to donate blood.
“There is an urgent need for blood for the injured — in this hour of crisis, our brothers and sisters who have fallen victim to terrorism need us — you have to help these people; this is also our religious duty. I request that you head to the hospitals and donate as much blood as possible immediately.”
“The attackers are enemies of humanity and deserve no leniency,” declared Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
He questioned how such an incident could occur in the heart of the country, noting that “in these dire conditions, the pride institutions take in their performance is a question mark.”
Rehman urged a total shift in focus for law enforcement, suggesting that if agencies “free themselves from political interference”, they could better protect the lives of citizens. He concluded by asking a pointed question to the state: when would it finally establish a system to protect the “future of coming generations” and heal the wounds of the public?
United States Chargé d’Affaires in Pakistan Natalie Baker said the US condemned all acts of terror and violence.
“On behalf of the US, I offer our sincere condolences to those injured and to the families and loved ones of those killed by this attack. Acts of terror and violence against civilians and places of worship are unacceptable. The people of Pakistan deserve safety, dignity, and the ability to practice their faith without fear.
“The US continues to support Pakistan’s efforts to advance peace and security and remains committed to our partnership aimed at promoting stability. We stand with Pakistan during this challenging moment.”
“It is with deep shock that we learned about the heinous suicide attack in Islamabad today. The Eu strongly condemns all acts of terrorism and violent extremism. We stand with Pakistan and extend our condolences to the families of the victims and the injured,” said the Delegation of the European Union to Pakistan.
UK High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott said in a post on X she was “outraged and heartbroken by the horrific attack” during Friday prayers.
“My thoughts and prayers are with those killed and injured and their families. Such violence is abhorrent. We stand with Pakistan.’
Ambassador of Iran to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam said he strongly condemned the attack on behalf of the Iranian government and people.
“I strongly condemn the hideous and awkward terrorist attack in Islamabad during the Friday prayers which lead to the martyrdom and injury of tens of innocent civilians. I extend my sincere and deepest condolences and sympathy to the government and the people of Pakistan, particularly to the bereaved families.”
Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Timothy Kane said he was “shocked and saddened by the horrific attack”.
He said Australia stood and mourned with Pakistan at the difficult time.
Azerbaijan’s foreign ministry also expressed solidarity with Pakistan.
