A suspected suicide blast during Friday prayers at an Imambargah in Tarlai, on the outskirts of Islamabad, has left at least 31 people dead and more than 169 injured. The incident triggered panic in the area, while rescue and emergency response operations were launched immediately.
Emergency Response and Medical Treatment
According to district administration officials, the injured were swiftly shifted to nearby hospitals. Emergency measures were imposed at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Polyclinic Hospital, and CDA Hospital. Assistant commissioners were deployed at various medical facilities to ensure proper treatment and monitoring of the wounded.
Security Measures and Investigation
Security forces cordoned off the blast site and sealed the surrounding area while collecting forensic evidence. Authorities have initiated a formal investigation to determine the nature of the explosion, identify facilitators, and trace those responsible for the attack.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Suhail Afridi strongly condemned the incident, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives. The national leadership directed relevant authorities to provide the best possible medical care to the injured and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned the deadly blast that occurred during Friday prayers in Islamabad. Ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi stated that attacks targeting mosques, religious rituals, worshippers, and civilians are a clear violation of Islamic teachings and fundamental human values. He expressed condolences to the bereaved families and wished a swift recovery for the injured.
Statement by Banned Militant Group
The outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) denied involvement in the attack, stating that it had no connection to the explosion at the Shia Imambargah Qasr-e-Khadija al-Kubra in Tarlai Islamabad. The group claimed that its stated targets are Pakistani security institutions and their affiliates, not ordinary civilians or places of worship.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about the security of religious sites and the broader law-and-order situation in the country. Investigations remain ongoing, while citizens across Pakistan continue to express solidarity with the victims and their families.
