An Islamic State affiliate claimed responsibility for a devastating suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque near Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, where 31 people died and 169 others suffered injuries. Grieving families gathered under tight security at the mosque on Saturday for funeral services honoring the victims.
Details of the Attack
The regional branch, known as Islamic State in Pakistan, issued a statement via its Amaq News Agency. It described how the bomber clashed with security forces at the main entrance before detonating explosives at the inner gate. The group labeled Pakistani Shiites as a “human reservoir” for fighters supporting Shiite forces against Islamic State in Syria, justifying the target.
This Friday assault ranks as Islamabad’s deadliest since the 2008 Marriott Hotel bombing, which killed 63 and injured over 250. A suicide bomber also struck near a courthouse in November, claiming 12 lives.
Arrests and Funerals
Officials identified the bomber as a Pakistani national who recently visited Afghanistan. Raids overnight in Islamabad and northwestern Pakistan led to the arrest of several suspects, including the attacker’s brother, mother, and other relatives. One police officer died during these operations.
More than 2,000 mourners attended as coffins arrived at the mosque for ceremonies. Senior government officials and Shiite community leaders joined services for about a dozen victims, while others held funerals in hometowns.
Historical Context
Islamic State, a Sunni extremist group, frequently targets Pakistan’s Shiite minority to stoke sectarian strife in the Sunni-majority nation. In 2022, it claimed a Peshawar mosque suicide bombing that killed at least 56 and wounded 194.
Official Reactions
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif told journalists the attack shows how militants based in Afghanistan can strike even the capital. Afghanistan’s Taliban government condemned the bombing but rebuked Asif for “irresponsibly” tying it to their country.
Pakistan accuses Taliban-ruled Afghanistan—back in control since August 2021—of sheltering groups like the Pakistani Taliban (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP), which Kabul denies. The United States, Russia, and the European Union also condemned the assault.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked global support for the “heart-wrenching” attack, stressing international aid’s role in counterterrorism and vowing justice for perpetrators.
Rising Militant Threats
Prime Minister Sharif’s government faces surging violence nationwide. Recent upticks link to Baloch separatists and the TTP, allied with the Afghan Taliban but operating separately. Islamabad had seen relative calm until this incident.
