A significant explosion devastated a Shia mosque on the outskirts of Pakistan’s capital during Friday prayers, resulting in the deaths of 31 individuals and leaving at least 169 others injured, according to police reports. The Islamic State group later claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement on Telegram.
Authorities in Islamabad confirmed that the blast at the expansive mosque was a deliberate attack, leading to an ongoing investigation. Rescuers and witnesses noted that some of the wounded were in critical condition, with television footage and social media posts showing the injured being rushed to nearby hospitals by police and residents.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Moshin Naqvi, announced on Saturday that four individuals suspected of aiding the suicide bomber had been apprehended. Following raids in Peshawar and Nowshera, the four detainees, including the alleged mastermind, were taken into custody.
Eyewitnesses described a distressing scene at the site, with bodies and injured individuals strewn across the mosque’s carpeted floor. Hussain Shah, who was present in the mosque courtyard during the incident, recounted hearing a sudden, deafening explosion and witnessing chaos as the wounded cried out for help.
The surge in militant violence in Pakistan, attributed mainly to Baloch separatist groups and the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has been a growing concern. Additionally, an affiliate of the Islamic State group has been active in the region.
Initial findings suggest that the suicide bomber may have crossed into Afghanistan before carrying out the attack. The mosque’s security guards attempted to stop the suspect, who opened fire before detonating the explosives among worshippers. Pakistan has frequently accused Afghanistan of harboring militants, a claim denied by Kabul.
The attack prompted swift condemnation from Afghanistan, the United States, the European Union, and various embassies in Islamabad. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced the violence and extended condolences to the victims’ families, emphasizing the need for justice and medical support for the injured.
As investigations continue, security forces are on high alert following a series of recent deadly attacks in the region. The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat of terrorism in the area.
