ISLAMABAD: At least 31 people were martyred and more than 160 injured in a suicide bombing in Islamabad’s Tarlai area on Friday, officials confirmed, drawing strong condemnation from the country’s leadership.
Police sources said that terrorists linked to Fitna al-Khawarij targeted the Imambargah Khadijat-ul-Kubra in the federal capital’s Tarlai area.
Security forces are conducting operations against the Fitna al-Khawarij — the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban-Pakistan (TTP) — and recently gunned down 24 terrorists belonging to the Indian proxy militant outfit.
Geo News has reported that the suicide bomber detonated himself after being stopped at the entrance of the mosque. Eyewitnesses told Geo News that the terrorists first opened fired and then resorted to the bombing.
The main door is at least 30 metres away from the imambargah’s gate. When the terrorist reached the main gate, the religious facility’s 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.
There are homes nearby this imambargah. The suicide bomber used such heavy explosives that the windowpanes of these residential units sustained damage. Security guards also received injuries during the firing. The windows of the three-storey imambargah have also broken.
Following the tragic blast, law enforcers — including those from Pakistan Army troops and Rangers — cordoned off the area, and rescue personnel began a rescue operation. The bodies and injured people are being taken to medical facilities — and the Pims administration has said that it cannot cater to more patients.
Due to the pressure on facilities in the capital, the injured are also being shifted to hospitals in other parts of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
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 statement added that assistant commissioners have been deployed at various hospitals to supervise the treatment and medical care of the injured.
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.
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.
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.
Meanwhile, Iran Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri, condemned the terrorist attack and extended “sincere and deepest condolences” to the government and the people of Pakistan, particularly to the bereaved families.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and we pray for the safe and speedy recovery of the injured,” he wrote on X.
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 can anyone bomb Friday prayers in a mosque”.
This is a developing story and is being updated with further details.
