Islamabad
A powerful suicide bombing outside a district court in Pakistan’s capital on Tuesday has killed at least 12 people and injured more than two dozen others, marking one of the deadliest attacks in Islamabad in recent years.
The explosion occurred near the District Judicial Complex in the G-11 sector just after midday. According to police officials, the attacker tried to enter the courthouse but detonated his explosives near a police vehicle after being stopped at the entrance.
Security footage shows chaos as smoke and debris filled the street, with emergency responders rushing victims to nearby hospitals. Witnesses said several of those killed were lawyers and civilians waiting for court hearings.
Government Confirms Terrorist Act
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the blast was a suicide bombing and condemned it as an “attack on Pakistan’s justice system.” He said the government has launched a high-level investigation and vowed “swift action against the perpetrators and their facilitators.”
The attack was claimed by Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a splinter group of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which said it targeted “officials enforcing un-Islamic laws.” However, the broader TTP denied involvement, suggesting divisions within militant factions operating along the Afghan border.
Pakistani authorities allege that the attack may have been planned from across the border in Afghanistan, while some officials hinted at possible foreign backing, pointing fingers at groups “supported by India.” No evidence has yet been publicly released to substantiate these claims.
Regional Tensions on the Rise
The bombing comes at a time of growing instability across South Asia, with militant violence surging in Pakistan’s northwest regions and along its border with Afghanistan. Security experts say the Islamabad blast highlights a dangerous new phase, as extremists shift focus from border areas to high-profile targets in urban centers.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif described the incident as a “national security emergency,” warning that Pakistan is “effectively in a state of war against terrorism once again.”
In neighboring Afghanistan, Taliban officials denied any involvement, saying their government “does not allow its territory to be used against any country.”
Heightened Security and Public Fear
Soon after the explosion, authorities sealed off the G-11 area and placed the capital under high alert. Checkpoints were established across Islamabad, and security was tightened around courts, government offices, and foreign embassies.
Forensic teams collected evidence from the blast site, where several vehicles were destroyed and the courthouse gate was heavily damaged. Hospitals across the city appealed for blood donations as the number of casualties rose.
The Pakistan Bar Council and local lawyers’ associations announced a day of mourning, demanding greater protection for judicial institutions and staff.
Broader Impact and International Response
The United Nations and several foreign embassies in Islamabad, including those of the United States and the United Kingdom, condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Pakistan.
“This horrific act underscores the need for regional cooperation to combat terrorism,” said a statement from the U.S. Embassy.
Meanwhile, the Pakistani Cricket Board announced enhanced security for visiting international teams, including Sri Lanka’s national squad currently touring Pakistan.
A Return of Fear to Islamabad
Islamabad has largely remained free from major terrorist attacks in recent years following large-scale counterterrorism operations. The last major suicide bombing in the capital occurred in 2022, also claimed by TTP-linked militants.
The return of such violence, analysts warn, could undermine investor confidence and revive fears of the instability that plagued Pakistan in the late 2000s.
“This attack is not just an act of terror it’s a message,” said security analyst Dr. Hassan Askari. “Militants are reminding the state that even its most protected institutions are not beyond reach.”
Investigation Underway
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and intelligence agencies are leading the probe, focusing on whether the attacker received support within Islamabad or came from outside the city.
Initial reports suggest the bomber arrived in a small car loaded with explosives. Authorities have not yet identified the attacker but believe he was between 20 and 25 years old.
A Nation in Mourning
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called an emergency security meeting late Tuesday, pledging “a complete crackdown on all terror networks.” Flags were lowered to half-mast across government buildings as Pakistan observed a national day of mourning.
Funeral prayers for several victims were held in Islamabad and nearby Rawalpindi, with large crowds gathering to pay their respects.
As investigators comb through the wreckage, the attack has left the capital shaken and raised urgent questions about Pakistan’s preparedness to counter a resurgent wave of terrorism spreading through South Asia.
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