At least 31 people were killed and dozens more injured in a suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad during Friday prayers, in one of the deadliest attacks to hit Pakistan’s capital in recent years.
The blast struck the Khadija Tul Kubra mosque in the Tarlai Kalan area of southeastern Islamabad, as worshippers had gathered for prayers. According to officials, mosque security guards attempted to stop the suspected attacker, who reportedly opened fire before detonating explosives inside the crowded prayer hall, reports Al-Jazeera.
Authorities said scores of victims were transported to hospitals, with emergency teams rushing to the scene amid chaotic conditions. Witness footage showed shattered glass, debris and bloodied worshippers inside the mosque. Families searched frantically for loved ones as ambulances ferried the wounded away.
Pakistan’s defence minister said preliminary information suggested the attacker had travelled to and from Afghanistan, though investigations are ongoing.
Senior leaders strongly condemned the attack. The deputy prime minister described it as a “cowardly” assault on innocent worshippers, stressing that targeting civilians and places of worship is a grave crime. The prime minister expressed deep sorrow and solidarity with the victims’ families, while the president called the violence a crime against humanity.
Medical staff at Islamabad hospitals struggled to cope with the influx of casualties, including women and children. Journalists at one major hospital reported victims arriving in private vehicles as well as ambulances, with relatives in visible distress.
Prominent Shia leaders criticised what they called security lapses, demanding accountability and stronger protection for worshippers. International figures, including the United Kingdom’s ambassador and the European Union delegation in Pakistan, also condemned the bombing and offered condolences.
The attack adds to a history of high-profile bombings in Islamabad, reviving fears over security in the capital. Investigations are under way to determine responsibility.
