31 killed, over 169 injured in suicide bombing at Shia mosque in Pakistan

At least 31 people were killed, and over 169 were injured after a suicide bomber blew himself up at a religious centre during Friday prayers in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, according to a report by Press Trust of India (PTI). 

The explosion occurred at the Khadijatul Kubra mosque-cum-imambargah, which caters to the Shia denomination, in the Tarlai area of Islamabad. 

 

The suicide bomber was stopped at the gate of the imambargah, but he detonated himself, the police said. Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon confirmed the casualty figures, adding that some of the injured were in a critical condition. 

 

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. However, PTI, citing police sources, said the bomber was a foreign national with links to Fitna al Khwaraji, a term used for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

 

 

The Islamabad attack coincided with the two-day official visit of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. 

President, PM condemn the attack 

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, with Sharif directing Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to conduct a full probe, identify those responsible, the report added.

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar also condemned the "cowardly suicide attack on innocent worshippers during Friday prayers at a Shia imambargah in Islamabad, killing dozens".

 

"Targeting places of worship and civilians is a heinous crime against humanity and a blatant violation of Islamic principles. Pakistan stands united against terrorism in all its forms. This barbarity will not intimidate us and extremists will be brought to full account," Dar said.

 

Emergency declared in hospitals

 

Those injured were shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) and Polyclinic Hospital. An emergency has also been declared at Islamabad's Polyclinic, Pims, and CDA Hospital.

 

The main emergency, orthopaedic, burn centre, and neurology departments have been activated.

 

The attack on Friday followed an earlier suicide blast that took place at a district and sessions court building in Islamabad's G-11 area in November last year. Twelve people were killed, and more than 30 were injured in the incident.