At least 31 people were killed and more than 160 were injured when a suicide bomber detonated himself inside an imambargah during Friday prayers in Islamabad’s Tarlai area on Friday, officials confirmed.
The explosion took place at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra, where hundreds of worshippers had gathered for prayers. Scenes from the site showed bloodied bodies lying on the carpeted floor amid shattered glass and debris, while panicked worshippers rushed to carry the wounded to safety. Several people were also seen lying in the garden outside the imambargah as people cried out for help.
Islamabad Capital Territory Police spokesperson Taqi Jawad said it was premature to determine the exact nature of the blast, but initial evidence pointed towards a suicide attack. Eyewitnesses told local media that the attacker was stopped by security guards at the main entrance, following which he opened fire. After an exchange of fire, he managed to run inside the premises and detonated himself while prayers were underway.
Among those killed was a cousin of Islamabad Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, while another relative sustained injuries, according to police.
Law enforcement agencies, including police, Rangers and Pakistan Army personnel, swiftly cordoned off the area, while Rescue 1122 teams launched relief and evacuation operations. An emergency was imposed at Islamabad’s major hospitals, including Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), Polyclinic Hospital and the Capital Development Authority Hospital. Hospital administrations appealed to citizens to donate blood as the number of casualties continued to rise.
Pims officials said at least 18 bodies and over 70 injured were brought to the hospital, adding that pressure on facilities had forced authorities to shift some wounded to hospitals in Rawalpindi. Benazir Bhutto Hospital confirmed that four people were received, one of whom later succumbed to injuries.
In view of the security situation, Rawalpindi police were placed on high alert, with additional deployments at imambargahs, mosques and other sensitive locations. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said 25 ambulances were dispatched to Islamabad, while hospitals across Rawalpindi district were placed on emergency footing with surgical and specialist teams on standby.
The attack drew strong condemnation from the country’s leadership. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif termed the bombing a crime against humanity and directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured and swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar described the attack as a blatant violation of Islamic principles.
Condolences also poured in from political leaders and foreign diplomats, including Iran’s ambassador to Pakistan. The attack comes less than three months after a suicide blast near a court complex in Islamabad, raising renewed concerns about security in the federal capital.
This is a developing story.