Islamabad was shaken by one of its deadliest terror attacks in recent years on Friday after a powerful explosion tore through a Shia Imambargah during Friday prayers, killing more than 70 people and injuring over 250 others. The blast triggered chaos across the capital, forcing authorities to declare a citywide emergency as hospitals overflowed with victims.
The explosion struck the Tarlai Imambargah in Shehzad Town, a densely populated area on the outskirts of Islamabad, at a time when the shrine was crowded with worshippers. Eyewitnesses described scenes of devastation, with shattered walls, blood-soaked prayer mats, and frantic survivors searching for loved ones amid the debris.
Preliminary investigations suggest the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber who detonated explosives near the main prayer area shortly after prayers concluded. Security agencies have cordoned off the site, while bomb disposal units and forensic teams continue to scan the area for evidence.
The injured were rushed to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Polyclinic Hospital, where doctors declared a medical emergency. Hospital officials said many victims are in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll may rise further.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, calling it an “inhuman act of terror” and expressing deep sorrow over the loss of innocent lives. He directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for the injured and ordered a detailed security review across major cities.
The attack comes at a highly sensitive time, as Pakistani security forces are in the middle of a large-scale counter-insurgency operation, Radd-ul-Fitna-1, in Balochistan. The operation, launched in late January, has reportedly led to the killing of hundreds of suspected militants, along with significant casualties among security personnel and civilians. Analysts believe the Islamabad blast may be a retaliatory strike aimed at spreading fear beyond conflict zones.
No militant group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. However, security experts warn that sectarian outfits and anti-state militant networks remain active and capable of striking high-profile civilian targets.
This is the second major suicide attack in Islamabad within three months. In November last year, a bomber targeted the Islamabad District Judicial Complex, killing 12 people after failing to breach security inside the court premises.
