Explosion at Mosque in Islamabad Kills 31, Injures 170; Islamic Emirate Condemns Attack

An explosion occurred on Friday, February 6, at the Khadija-tul-Kubra Mosque in Islamabad's Tarlai area during Friday prayers, causing casualties among around 200 people. Sources confirmed 31 deaths and 170 injuries as of the time of the report. The mosque was attended by Shia worshippers.

Pakistani media reported that an emergency was declared in Islamabad hospitals following the incident. Due to pressure on medical facilities, several injured individuals were transferred to hospitals in other parts of Islamabad and to Rawalpindi.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and expressed sympathy to the victims' families. Several embassies in Pakistan, including those of the United States and the United Kingdom, also condemned the incident.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan issued a statement late Friday condemning the attack. Ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi wrote on X: "The IEA considers such attacks, which violate the sanctity of holy rituals and mosques and target worshippers and civilians, as contrary to Islamic and human values, strongly condemns them, extends condolences to the families of the victims, and wishes a speedy recovery to the wounded."

The incident followed attacks by the Baloch liberation movement in Balochistan. Earlier that morning, armed militants attacked polio vaccination campaign workers in Balochistan, killing one vaccinator.