Pakistan: 31 killed, over 160 injured in suspected suicide bombing at Islamabad imambargah

At least thirty-one people were killed and more than 160 injured in a deadly blast at an imambargah in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, said reports. The blast was reported at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra located in southeastern Islamabad’s Tarlai Kalan area, during Friday prayers today.

Islamabad Capital Territory Police Spokesperson Taqi Jawad said that it was too soon to ascertain the nature of the blast. However, he said that the indications pointed to the attack being carried out by a suicide bomber. Also, some sources to Pakistan local media suggest the attacker was linked to Fitna al-Khawarij. Reportedly, the attacker blew himself up after being stopped at the Imambargah gate.

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As of now, the site of explosion has been sealed off completely by security personnel, confirmed the district administration spokesperson. Also, Pakistan Army troops and Rangers have started security operations in and around the site of the blast.

Injured shifted to nearby hospitals

Multiple emergency teams have been rushed to the site of explosion to carry out rescue operations. The injured are being shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

To ensure proper medical treatment is proided to the injured, several assistant commissioners have been rushed to the nearby hospitals where the victims are being shifted to supervise the medical care of the injured.

Follwoing the explosion, an emergency has been imposed at the federal capital’s Polyclinic, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), and CDA Hospital on the directives of the executive director (ED) Pims, as per local media reports. Due to the sudden increase in the number of admissions at the hospitals in the federal capital, the victims are also being taken to hospitals in other parts of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Pak Prez calls it ‘crime against humanity’

President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari has expressed deep grief over the loss of lives in the explosion, and extended condolences to the families of the deaceased. In a statement posted by the PPP on social media platform X, the President said, “Targeting innocent civilians is a crime against humanity”. He also wished for the fast recovery of those injured in the incident and directed that all possible medical facilities be provided to them.

Also, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and called the attack a “cowardly act”. He wrote on scoail media: “Such acts of terrorism cannot dampen the morale of the nation. The need of the hour is that we all stand united for peace, tolerance, and stability, and express solidarity with law enforcement agencies.”