Suicide blast kills 31 worshippers at Shia mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan

A suicide bombing during Friday prayers at a Shia mosque in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad killed at least 31 people and injured 169 others, police and government officials said.

The explosion occurred at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra in the Tarlai area, on the outskirts of the capital. Images from the scene showed blood-stained carpets, shattered glass and debris inside the mosque, while injured worshippers lay in the courtyard awaiting help.

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon confirmed the casualty figures, saying the death toll had risen to 31 and the number of injured admitted to hospitals stood at 169.

Two senior police officials said the attacker was stopped at the gate of the mosque before detonating the explosive device. They spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to brief the media. Police said early evidence pointed to a suicide attack, though investigations are ongoing.

Islamabad Capital Territory Police spokesperson Taqi Jawad said it was too early to determine the full nature of the blast but confirmed that security forces had sealed off the area. He added that among the victims was a cousin of Islamabad Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, while another family member was injured.

Rescue teams and police reached the site shortly after the explosion and began emergency operations. Authorities imposed emergency measures at major hospitals, including Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Polyclinic Hospital, and CDA Hospital.

Hospital officials said emergency, orthopaedic, burn and neurology units were fully activated. The PIMS administration appealed to citizens to donate blood to help treat the injured.

Following the attack, Rawalpindi police were placed on high alert. Security measures were reinforced at mosques, imambargahs and other sensitive locations across the city.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the provincial government had sent 25 ambulances to Islamabad. She also announced that hospitals in Rawalpindi district were placed on high alert, with surgical teams and specialists on standby.

President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the families of the victims. “Targeting innocent civilians is a crime against humanity,” he said, praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also strongly condemned the bombing and directed authorities to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice. He instructed that the injured be provided with the best possible medical care.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar described the incident as a “cowardly attack on innocent worshippers,” adding that Pakistan stands united against terrorism in all its forms.

Bombings are rare in heavily guarded Islamabad, but Pakistan has experienced a rise in militant violence in recent years. The Shia Muslim minority has previously been targeted in sectarian attacks.

The incident comes less than three months after a suicide bombing outside a district court in Islamabad’s G-11 area on November 11, 2025, which killed 12 people and injured more than 30 others.