Islamabad: At least 25 people were killed and more than 30 seriously injured in a suicide bombing at a shrine in Pakistan’s capital on Friday, triggering panic during Friday prayers. Authorities said the toll could rise further.
The explosion occurred at the Tarlai Imam Dargah in Islamabad’s Shehzad Town area after a suicide attacker allegedly entered the congregation and detonated explosives. Security forces and police swiftly cordoned off the area, while victims were rushed to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and nearby hospitals. A health emergency was declared across major hospitals in the city, and officials appealed for blood donations.
The attack comes amid a surge in militant violence across Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan and border regions. The strike in heavily guarded Islamabad has raised serious concerns over security lapses.
Pakistan’s Interior Minister condemned the incident, calling the targeting of religious sites a cowardly act, and vowed strict action against those responsible. No militant group has claimed responsibility so far.