At least 31* worshippers were martyred and 169 sustained injuries in a suicide bombing at an imambargah on the outskirts of Islamabad on Friday afternoon. When the incident was initially reported, police sources said that 12 people were martyred while several others were injured.

 

The incident occurred in the Tarlai area around the time of Friday prayers. A suicide bomber attempted to enter the imambargah but was stopped by security personnel at the gate. The attacker then detonated himself at the entrance, reports quoted sources.

 

Police sources said the attacker was a foreign national and was linked to Fitna-al-Khawarij, a term used by the state for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). “The bomber blew himself up after being stopped at the gate,” a police source said, confirming that the blast took place before the attacker could enter the premises.

 

Following the explosion, police and security agencies launched an operation at the site and cordoned off the surrounding area. Bomb disposal and investigation teams were called in to assess the scene and collect evidence, the sources said.

 

The injured were shifted to hospitals in the federal capital for medical treatment. An emergency was imposed at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), Polyclinic Hospital, and CDA Hospital, officials said.

 

On the directives of the executive director, an emergency has been enforced at PIMS . The main emergency, orthopaedic, burn centre, and neurology departments had been activated to receive the injured. 

 

Condemnations over the attack poured in from political leaders and officials.

 

President Asif Ali Zardari extended condolences to the victims in a statement issued by the Pakistan Peoples Party on X. Expressing grief over the incident, he said, “Targeting innocent civilians is a crime against humanity.” The president prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and directed that all possible medical facilities be provided to them.

 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the blast in a statement. He expressed grief over the incident and said he “strongly condemns” the attack.

 

Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam condemned the incident in a post on X on behalf of the Iranian government and people. “On behalf of the government and the people of the Islamic Republic of Iran, I strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Islamabad during Friday prayers which led to the martyrdom and injury of innocent civilians,” he said. “I extend my condolences and sympathy to the government and people of Pakistan, particularly the bereaved families, and pray for the recovery of the injured.”

 

The blast comes days after a series of attacks in Balochistan that resulted in multiple casualties. According to official statements, attacks carried out by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed the lives of 36 civilians, including women and children, along with 22 security and law enforcement personnel.

 

The attacks were reported in several districts, including Quetta, Mastung, Nushki, Dalbandin, Kharan, Panjgur, Tump, Gwadar, and Pasni, on January 31.

 

A day before the Islamabad attack, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said security forces had concluded Operation Raddul Fitna-1. In a statement, the military’s media wing said at least 216 terrorists were eliminated in coordinated engagements and clearance operations conducted in different areas.

 

*The death toll and number of injured persons were last updated by the filing of this report.