ISLAMABAD: Pakistan mourns a deadly suicide bombing at an Islamabad imambargah that killed 32 people during Friday prayers, as security is tightened nationwide and leaders at home and abroad condemn the attack.
One critically wounded person succumbed to his injuries overnight in the hospital, taking the death toll to 32.
“One critically injured victim died overnight, bringing the death toll to 32,” a hospital official said, adding that several wounded remained in critical condition.
The suicide bomber struck during Friday prayers at Imambargah Khadijah-tul-Kubra in the Tarlai area of Islamabad, killing worshippers and injuring 169 others, according to police and district authorities.
Officials said almost all of the victims’ bodies have been identified and handed over to families. At the same time, funeral prayers were scheduled for later on Saturday in Islamabad and nearby Rawalpindi.
Images from the site showed blood-stained carpets, shattered glass, and debris inside the prayer hall, while dozens of wounded worshippers lay in the garden outside the imambargah as rescue teams evacuated them.
Security was tightened across Islamabad and neighbouring Rawalpindi following the attack, with police placed on high alert at mosques, imambargahs, and other sensitive locations. Authorities said additional patrols were deployed, checkpoints reinforced, and surveillance stepped up, while hospitals in the capital region remained on emergency footing as officials monitored the condition of the injured.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Islamabad’s Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi later visited the site of the attack and offered Maghrib prayers at the same imambargah, praying behind the imam who had led the Friday prayers at the time of the blast.
Police officials said a close relative of the Islamabad police chief was among those killed in the attack.
Officials cite the foreign travel of the attacker
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, in a post on X, said the suicide bomber was challenged by security guards, after which he opened fire and blew his suicide vest among worshippers standing in the last row.
Asif said the suicide bomber was a Pakistani national who had travelled to Afghanistan in the past, alleging the involvement of hostile foreign elements — claims that neighbouring countries have previously denied.
“He was challenged by security guards, opened fire, and then detonated his explosives while standing in the last row of worshippers,” Asif said in a statement.
Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry later told reporters that forensic analysis confirmed the attacker had travelled to Afghanistan on multiple occasions, where he was allegedly radicalised.
He said rescue teams reached the site within minutes of the blast and that a detailed investigation report, including information on those who facilitated the attack, would be shared within 72 hours.
Heightened security, events scaled back
Security was tightened across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, with police placed on high alert at mosques and imambargahs. Hospitals in the capital region remained on emergency footing as authorities monitored the condition of the injured.
Several public and cultural events were scaled back or cancelled as a mark of respect, while political leaders across the spectrum condemned the attack and pledged to bring those responsible to justice.
The blast was the deadliest attack in Islamabad in recent years and comes less than three months after a suicide bombing near a court complex in the capital killed 12 people.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, expressing deep grief over the loss of lives and vowing that those responsible would be brought to justice.
“The perpetrators of this cowardly attack must be identified and given exemplary punishment,” Sharif said, adding that no one would be allowed to spread chaos and instability in the country. He extended condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.
President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed deep sorrow over the attack, offering condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for patience and strength.
“Targeting innocent civilians is a crime against humanity,” the president said, adding that the nation stood firmly with the affected families in this difficult hour. He directed authorities to ensure that all injured victims receive every possible medical facility.
Global reaction
The US Embassy in Islamabad strongly condemned the recent attack. Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker expressed sorrow over the loss of innocent lives, noting that worshippers were killed and injured in the terrorist attack. She emphasised that the United States condemns all acts of terror and violence.
Baker extended condolences to the victims and their families, underscoring that attacks on civilians and places of worship are unacceptable. She affirmed that the people of Pakistan deserve safety, dignity, and the freedom to practise their faith without fear.
The chargé d’affaires also reiterated the United States’ continued support for Pakistan’s efforts to promote peace, security, and stability, stating that the US stands with Pakistan in this difficult time.
The Saudi Foreign Ministry also denounced the attack and reiterated the Kingdom’s firm stance against violence that targets places of worship, terrorizes civilians or sheds innocent blood, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
The ministry said Saudi Arabia stands in solidarity with Pakistan in efforts to confront all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism. It offered its condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims, and to the government and people of Pakistan, and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent letters of condolence to President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif following the deadly terrorist attack in Islamabad.
In his message, Putin expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives, describing the killing of people during a religious ceremony as further evidence of the barbaric and inhumane nature of terrorism.
He reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in combating terrorism and conveyed his sympathies to the families of the victims, along with wishes for the speedy recovery of those injured.
Meanwhile, British High Commissioner Jane Marriott expressed outrage and heartbreak over the attack at the Islamabad imambargah during Friday prayers. In a message posted on X, she said her thoughts and prayers are with those killed and injured and their families, describing the violence as abhorrent and reaffirming that the UK stands with Pakistan.
Australian High Commissioner Timothy Kane said he was shocked and saddened by the horrific attack at a mosque in Islamabad. He offered sympathies to the victims, their loved ones, and all those affected, and said Australia stands and mourns with Pakistan.
Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri Moghadam also condemned the bombing and conveyed condolences to the government and people of Pakistan, particularly bereaved families.
He described the incident as a terrorist attack targeting innocent civilians during Friday prayers and offered prayers for those killed and for the recovery of the injured.
The embassy of France, in its statement, condemned the deadly attack and expressed its resolve to stand with Pakistan in opposing all forms of terrorism.
