ISLAMABAD: A devastating suicide bombing struck the Imam BargahQasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra, a Shiite mosque in Islamabad’s Tarlai area, duringFriday prayers, claiming at least 31 lives and injuring over 169worshippers. The attacker was intercepted by mosque security personnel, whochallenged him at the entrance. He opened fire before detonating hisexplosives amid the congregation. This marks the deadliest militant assaultin the heavily guarded capital in more than a decade, underscoring theescalating security challenges facing Pakistan amid cross-border militancy.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif swiftly condemned the atrocity through a poston X, describing those responsible for martyring worshippers in mosques asunequivocal enemies of both religion and the nation. He revealedpreliminary investigations indicating the terrorist had repeatedlytravelled to and from Afghanistan. Asif asserted that emerging evidenceexposes linkages between India and the Taliban regime, framing the incidentas part of a broader conspiracy to destabilise Pakistan. He affirmed thestate’s resolute response, invoking divine justice with Insha’Allah.
Official accounts confirm the blast occurred as worshippers gathered forcongregational prayers, a sacred moment shattered by the explosion.Islamabad’s Deputy Commissioner reported 31 fatalities at the scene, withthe injured toll climbing to 169 across local hospitals, several incritical condition. Police forensics teams examined the site, identifyingcharacteristics consistent with a suicide vest. No group has formallyclaimed responsibility, though suspicion centres on outfits operating fromAfghan sanctuaries, including factions aligned with anti-state elements.
Pakistan has witnessed a sharp resurgence in terrorist violence since theTaliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021. Security analysts noteover 90 per cent of recent attacks trace operational links to Afghanterritory, where banned groups like Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan enjoyrelative freedom. Cross-border infiltrations have intensified, targetingcivilian and security installations alike. The Islamabad strike representsa rare penetration into the capital’s fortified zones, highlightingvulnerabilities despite heightened urban surveillance and intelligenceefforts.
Khawaja Asif’s statement aligns with longstanding Pakistani accusationsagainst the Taliban administration in Kabul. Successive defence briefingshave accused elements within the regime of harbouring or facilitatingmilitants responsible for domestic bloodshed. Asif previously describedTaliban assurances as unreliable, alleging their alignment with externalactors seeking to keep Pakistan engaged on multiple fronts. He has warnedthat continued cross-border terrorism would invite commensurateretaliation, emphasising Pakistan’s capacity to defend its sovereigntydecisively.
The attack exacerbates sectarian sensitivities, targeting the Shiiteminority during a vulnerable religious observance. Shiite communities inPakistan have historically faced attacks from extremist groups espousingrigid ideologies. This incident revives memories of past mosque bombings,including the 2023 Peshawar police mosque assault that killed over 80.Authorities have mobilised additional forces in Islamabad, conductingsweeps and reinforcing entry protocols at religious sites nationwide toprevent follow-up strikes.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued jointcondemnations, extending condolences and directing expedited medical carefor victims. They reiterated national unity against terrorism in allmanifestations. Interior ministry sources indicated intensified bordercoordination and intelligence sharing, though diplomatic channels withKabul remain strained following failed negotiations in regional forums likeIstanbul.
Broader regional dynamics add complexity. Pakistan maintains that certainKabul elements operate under external influence, particularly from India,to sustain proxy pressures. Asif’s reference to exposed India-Taliban linksechoes earlier assertions of financial and logistical conduits aimed atdiverting Pakistani resources. Independent observers note persistentmilitant safe havens across the Durand Line, complicating counterterrorismdespite repeated Pakistani diplomatic protests and military operationsalong the frontier.
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The tragedy has prompted calls for enhanced domestic security architecture.Analysts argue that while kinetic responses address immediate threats,sustainable peace requires addressing root causes, including unregulatedborder movements and ideological propagation. Civil society groups urgedcomprehensive deradicalisation programmes alongside robust law enforcement.The incident also renews scrutiny of intelligence lapses, given theattacker’s apparent unimpeded transit from Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s leadership faces mounting pressure to deliver tangible resultsin curbing militancy. Asif’s firm rhetoric signals a policy shift towardpre-emptive measures if provocations persist. The state vows exhaustivepursuit of perpetrators and their facilitators, domestic or foreign.National resolve remains firm, with citizens and institutions uniting ingrief and determination to safeguard peace and religious harmony.
This attack serves as a stark reminder of terrorism’s indiscriminatenature, striking at the heart of communal worship. Authorities continueinvestigations, including forensic analysis and witness statements, toestablish full culpability. The nation mourns the fallen while bracing forintensified counterterrorism campaigns to restore security and stability.
Source:https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/explosion-rocks-shiite-muslim-mosque-islamabad-casualties-feared-say-police-2026-02-06
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