Su!c!de Bl@st at Islamabad Imambargah During Friday Prayers Leaves 31 Martyred, Over 160 Injured
At least 31 people were martyred and more than 160 others injured after a devastating su!c!de bl@st targeted Imambargah Khadijat-ul-Kubra in Islamabad’s Tarlai area during Friday prayers, officials confirmed on Friday.
Police sources said the att@ck was carried out by a terrorist linked to Fitna al-Khawarij, an outlawed extremist network. The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from Pakistan’s political leadership and the international community.
Att@ck Details
According to Geo News and police officials, the su!c!de bomber attempted to enter the imambargah but was stopped by security guards at the main entrance, located approximately 30 metres from the prayer hall.
Eyewitnesses reported that the terrorists opened fire first, injuring security personnel, before the bomber ran nearly 20 metres inside the premises and detonated the expl0sive device while prayers were underway.
Due to the intensity of the expl0sion, windows of the three-storey imambargah were shattered, while nearby residential houses also sustained damage. Several security guards were injured during the exchange of fire.
Rescue Operations and Medical Emergency
Following the bl@st, law enforcement agencies, including Islamabad Police, Pakistan Army troops, and Rangers, cordoned off the area and launched search and clearance operations.
Rescue teams shifted the martyrs and injured to nearby hospitals. However, the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) administration stated that the hospital had reached its capacity and could not accommodate additional patients.
Due to pressure on medical facilities in the capital, the injured were shifted to hospitals in other areas of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon confirmed that a medical emergency was imposed at PIMS, Polyclinic Hospital, and the CDA Hospital. Assistant commissioners were deployed at hospitals to supervise treatment and ensure proper medical care.
Condemnations Pour In
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the incident and offered condolences to the families of the martyrs, praying for patience for the bereaved and recovery for the injured.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the bombing, calling it a heinous act and extending sympathies to affected families. He also directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured.
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, termed the att@ck “brutal and cowardly,” stating that targeting a place of worship was an assault on humanity, religion, and social values. He questioned the administration’s performance and stressed that such incidents could not be tolerated.
Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri, also condemned the att@ck and extended condolences to the government and people of Pakistan, particularly the bereaved families. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, and we pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he stated.
Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry expressed deep grief over the loss of precious lives, while former finance minister Miftah Ismail described the incident as “absolutely horrendous,” questioning how anyone could target worshippers during Friday prayers.
Broader Security Situation
The incident comes amid ongoing counter-oper@tions against Fitna al-Khawarij, also known as the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Security forces have recently eliminated 24 terrorists linked to hostile proxy networks as part of continued intelligence-based oper@tions.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain calm and vigilant as investigations continue.
📌 This is a developing story and will be updated as more details emerge.
