Suicide Bombing at Tarlai Imambargah Kills 31, Over 160 Injured
News Desk
Islamabad: At least 31 people were martyred and more than 160 others injured in a suicide bombing at an imambargah in Islamabad’s Tarlai area on Friday, officials confirmed, triggering nationwide condemnation and emergency measures across the capital’s hospitals.
Police said the attack targeted Imambargah Khadijat-ul-Kubra and was carried out by terrorists linked to Fitna al-Khawarij, the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Security sources said operations are under way against the group, adding that 24 terrorists belonging to the Indian proxy militant outfit were recently killed in counterterrorism actions.
According to Geo News, the suicide bomber detonated himself after being stopped at the entrance of the imambargah. Eyewitnesses said the attackers first opened fire before the bomber blew himself up during Friday prayers.
Police officials said the main door of the mosque is around 30 metres from the imambargah’s gate. When the bomber reached the main gate, security guards attempted to stop him, leading to an exchange of fire. The attacker then ran about 20 metres inside the premises and detonated the explosives while prayers were in progress.
The blast was so powerful that windowpanes of nearby houses were shattered, while the windows of the three-storey imambargah were also damaged. Several security guards sustained injuries during the firing.
Following the attack, law-enforcement agencies, including Pakistan Army troops and Rangers, cordoned off the area as rescue operations began. Bodies and the injured were shifted to medical facilities, while the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) said it could not accommodate more patients due to the influx.
Owing to pressure on hospitals in the capital, several injured victims are being shifted to hospitals in Rawalpindi and other parts of Islamabad.
Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon said an emergency has been imposed at Pims, Polyclinic Hospital and the CDA Hospital. He added that assistant commissioners have been deployed at various hospitals to supervise treatment and ensure proper medical care for the injured.
Condemnations pour in
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep grief over the incident and offered condolences to the families of the martyrs, praying for patience for the bereaved.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the bombing, expressing sorrow over the loss of lives and extending sympathies to the affected families.
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, also condemned the “brutal and cowardly” attack, saying that targeting a place of worship was an assault on humanity, religion and social values. He termed the incident a serious failure to protect human lives and raised questions over administrative performance.
Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Reza Amiri, condemned the attack and conveyed “sincere and deepest condolences” to the government and people of Pakistan, particularly the bereaved families, while praying for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Federal Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said he strongly condemned the tragic explosion, adding that he was deeply grieved by the loss of precious lives.
Former finance minister Miftah Ismail described the incident as “absolutely horrendous,” questioning how anyone could bomb a mosque during Friday prayers.
Security and rescue operations are continuing as authorities assess the damage and investigate the attack.
