ISLAMABAD – As many as 12 people were killed whereas a total of 36 injured when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device outside the Islamabad District Judicial Complex on Tuesday afternoon. The attack, carried out by the militant group Fitna al-Khawarij, caused chaos as flames engulfed several vehicles parked in the area.
The blast occurred around 12:30pm near the main gate of the complex. Witnesses reported hearing a loud explosion that shattered windows across the vicinity. Police and rescue teams rushed to the scene, cordoning off the area and moving the injured to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital. Several of the wounded are said to be in critical condition.
SUICIDE BOMBER IDENTIFIED
Police sources confirmed that the attack was a suicide bombing. The head of the bomber was recovered from the site. Authorities suspect the involvement of Fitna al-Khawarij, a group allegedly supported by Indian intelligence and linked to Afghan Taliban proxies. Officials noted that the blast took place during peak court hours when lawyers, judges, and litigants were present in large numbers. Following the explosion, the entire courthouse was evacuated. Lawyers, judges, and visitors were escorted from the rear side of the complex to safety. The judicial compound was later sealed for evidence collection.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived at the scene shortly after the incident and received a detailed briefing from the Islamabad Police Inspector General. He stated that identifying the suicide bomber is the top priority and hinted at possible cross-border coordination. Naqvi linked the incident to a similar attack in Wana, claiming that “communication was ongoing” between the attackers and handlers in Afghanistan. He added that no perpetrator, whether local or foreign, would be spared.
Naqvi further announced new security measures for the capital, including mandatory e-tag registration for all vehicles entering Islamabad within two weeks. “We know what Afghanistan is doing,” he said. “If they fail to control their elements, we will be compelled to take action.” President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the bombing, calling it a cowardly act aimed at destabilising Pakistan. Both leaders expressed sorrow over the loss of lives and instructed authorities to ensure the best medical treatment for the injured.
