Attack at Tarlai Imambargah during afternoon prayers leaves Pakistan reeling amid rising insurgency fears
Islamabad: At least 69 people were killed and 169 others injured after a suspected suicide bomber detonated explosives inside a shrine in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, on Friday. The explosion occurred at Tarlai Imambargah in the Shehzad Town area during afternoon hours, triggering panic and a massive emergency response.
According to Pakistani media reports, the attacker targeted the main gate of the Shia place of worship, which was crowded with worshippers at the time. The force of the blast caused widespread casualties, with rescue teams and law enforcement rushing to the scene. Islamabad’s Inspector General of Police declared a city-wide emergency as authorities worked to evacuate the injured and secure the area.
Eyewitnesses described harrowing scenes inside the mosque, with bodies and wounded congregants lying amidst debris. One survivor recounted hearing an explosion during prayers, followed by chaos as people screamed for help.
The attack comes amid intensifying security challenges in Pakistan, where forces are battling insurgencies in the southern and northern provinces bordering Afghanistan. Islamabad has previously accused militant groups, including the Pakistani Taliban and separatist fighters, of using Afghan territory as a base for cross-border attacks, claims repeatedly denied by the Afghan Taliban government.
National leaders condemned the bombing. President Asif Ali Zardari called it a “crime against humanity” and extended condolences to the families of the victims, pledging all possible medical assistance for the wounded. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other senior politicians also denounced the attack, with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry labelling it a “cowardly act” and urging unity and support for law enforcement.
The blast adds to growing concerns over sectarian violence and security vulnerabilities, particularly targeting minority communities, and underscores the ongoing instability facing Pakistan.
Also Read: Sivasagar Launches EVM Awareness Centres, Mobile Vans for Voters
