Islamabad blast kills 31 at Shia religious centre; over 160 injured during Friday prayers

A powerful explosion ripped through the Shia religious centre in Pakistan’s capital on Friday, leading to the death of at least 31 people and injuring 169, triggering panic and chaos in the area. The explosion occurred at a time when Friday prayers were in session at the religious centre located outside the Tarlai Imambargah in Islamabad’s suburb, Shehzad Town.

Blast suspected to be suicide attack

Security officials said the explosion is believed to have been caused by a suicide attacker, although they are still trying to figure out how the blast occurred. One of the security officials, who prefers to remain anonymous and spoke to AFP, said the attacker was stopped at the gate before blowing himself up.

“The attacker was stopped at the gate and detonated himself,” the official said, adding that investigations are underway to confirm the sequence of events.

Also Read | Donald Trump shares video depicting Obamas as monkeys, Internet calls it 'disgusting behaviour'

Spokesperson of the Islamabad Police, Taqi Jawad, stated that the police were investigating to determine if this was a suicide bombing or the work of an explosive planted at the site. The police were collecting evidence from the site to determine the cause of the blast.

Rescue operations underway, injured rushed to hospitals

Soon after the blast, the police, rescue teams, and other emergency responders rushed to the scene. The injured have been taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and the Polyclinic hospitals, where they are being treated, some of them in critical condition.

The explosion damaged parts of the religious complex and surrounding structures, while eyewitnesses described scenes of confusion as worshippers tried to flee the area following the blast.

Also Read | Ozempic at $199? Donald Trump launches 'TrumpRX', announces sweeping prescription drug price cuts

Leaders condemn attack

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi denounced this incident in the strongest words and sought providing best medical facilities to the injured. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned this assault, saying that prompt assistance must be provided to the injured, and an investigation into this incident must be conducted speedily.

This latest attack occurred three months after a suicide bombing occurred outside a district court in Islamabad in November last year, which claimed the lives of 12 people and sparked security concerns in the capital.