Suicide Blast at Shia Mosque in Islamabad Kills 31, Injures 169
A suicide bombing targeted worshippers at the Imam Bargah Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra mosque in Islamabad during Friday prayers, killing 31 people and wounding 169 others. The attack was claimed by the Pakistan branch of ISIS.
Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated that the attacker had crossed into Pakistan from Afghanistan and alleged links between India and the Taliban.
India condemned the attack and rejected Pakistan's accusations as "baseless," urging Islamabad to address its internal security failures instead of blaming external actors.
The Taliban condemned the bombing, describing statements by Pakistani officials as "irresponsible" and calling for a reassessment of Islamabad's security policies.
The incident prompted widespread international condemnation. The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, France, Russia, China, Turkey, and Iran denounced the attack and reaffirmed support for peace and security in the region. European Union officials expressed "deep shock," opposing all forms of terrorism and violent extremism, while world leaders offered condolences to the victims' families.
The blast highlights ongoing security challenges in Pakistan amid regional instability, with calls for enhanced counter-terrorism cooperation and measures to protect vulnerable communities.
