At least 31 people were killed and over 169 injured in a suicide blast inside an imambargah in the federal capital Islamabad on Friday.
According to police, the attack occurred during Friday prayers at Imambargah Khadija-tul-Kubra in the suburban area of Tarlai. The blast was so powerful that its sound was heard from a distance and windows of nearby buildings were shattered.
Police, rescue teams and the Bomb Disposal Squad rushed to the scene immediately after the explosion. Authorities said the attacker, affiliated with Fitna-ul-Khawarij, detonated himself after being prevented from entering the mosque, causing heavy casualties.
Deputy Commissioner Islamabad on his X-account confirmed 31 fatalities and said dozens were injured. Hospitals across the capital declared emergencies to cope with the influx of victims.
Hospital sources reported that over 169 injured were admitted, including 60 at PIMS, 27 at Federal General Hospital, 13 at Polyclinic, and 2 at Benazir Hospital. Due to overcrowding at PIMS, many patients are being transferred to other hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Sources said the blast occurred during the second rak‘at of Friday prayers while worshippers were in sujood. Eyewitnesses reported that the attacker opened fire before detonating himself at the main entrance following an exchange of fire with security personnel.
Islamabad IG told the media that his cousin’s son was among those killed, who was offering prayers in the three-storey mosque at the time of the attack.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the Tarlai blast expressed grief over the loss of lives and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. He met with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and directed a swift investigation to identify and hold the perpetrators accountable.
The prime minister stressed that those responsible for the attack must be punished according to the law and warned that no one would be allowed to spread violence and insecurity in the country. He also ordered the provision of best possible medical care for the injured and directed the Health Minister to monitor the situation closely.
