- Explosion occurred at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra in Tarlai.
- “Fitna al-Khawarij” behind suicide blast, say police sources.
- President Zardari expresses sorrow over loss of lives in blast.
ISLAMABAD: At least 31 people were martyred and dozens others injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up inside an imambargah during Friday prayers in Islamabad’s Tarlai area, confirmed officials.
The explosion occurred at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra in Islamabad’s Tarlai area.
The suicide bomber detonated himself after being stopped at the entrance of the mosque, eyewitnesses told Geo News, adding that the terrorists first opened fired and then resorted to the bombing.
The eyewitnesses further said that the main door is at least 30 metres away from the imambargah’s gate, adding that when the terrorist reached the main gate, 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,” the eyewitnesses told Geo News.
Following the tragic incident, rescue teams rushed to the site and shifted the bodies and injured to the hospitals. Law enforcement agencies — including Pakistan Army troops and Rangers — cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into the incident.
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.
The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) administration said that at least 18 bodies were brought to the hospital, while more than 78 injured were also received.
Authorities at Rawalpindi’s Benazir Bhutto Hospital said four injured were brought to the hospital, where one of them later died during treatment.
Emergency imposed in Islamabad hospitals
Meanwhile, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal imposed an emergency across all federally administered government hospitals in the capital.
“Emergency services at PIMS and the Polyclinic are fully functional,” he said.
Kamal added that the leaves of doctors, nurses and paramedical staff have been cancelled.
“The government is utilising all available resources for the treatment of the injured,” he said.
Condemning the attack, the health minister termed the suicide bombing “highly deplorable” and said those targeting innocent civilians were “enemies of humanity”.
He warned that negligence in the treatment of the injured would not be tolerated.
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.
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.
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.
The prime minister, while speaking with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, directed that the incident be thoroughly investigated and those responsible be identified and brought to justice immediately.
He also instructed the health minister to ensure immediate medical treatment for the injured and asked him to personally monitor the relief efforts.
He stressed that no one would be allowed to create chaos and unrest in the country.
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.
