At least 31 people were killed and around 169 others injured in a devastating explosion at a Shiite Muslim mosque on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, during Friday prayers, officials confirmed. The bombing — one of the deadliest in recent years to strike the city — has sent shockwaves through the country and drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders and international observers alike.
Deadly Attack During Weekly Worship
The explosion occurred on 6 February 2026 at the Khadija Al-Kubra Shiite mosque in the Tarlai Kalan and Shehzad Town area of Islamabad as worshippers gathered for the weekly Friday congregational prayer, authorities said.
Emergency services rushed the injured to major hospitals in Islamabad and neighbouring Rawalpindi, where medical staff activated emergency response protocols to cope with the scale of casualties. Many of the wounded were reported in critical condition, leading officials to warn that the death toll could rise.
Suspected Suicide Bombing and Initial Security Findings
Police and government officials have said the blast is being investigated as a suspected suicide attack. Security forces reported preliminary evidence suggesting the bomber detonated the device after being stopped at the mosque’s entrance, though a definitive cause is still being confirmed through forensic analysis.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but suspicion has fallen on militant outfits previously active in targeting Shia communities in Pakistan, including Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and affiliates of the Islamic State. These groups have a history of sectarian violence in parts of the country.
Sectarian Context and Rising Violence
The bombing comes amid a broader upsurge in militant attacks in Pakistan. While Islamabad is usually tightly secured and has seen fewer violent incidents compared with other regions, recent months have witnessed a spike in extremist activity — including attacks by Baloch separatists and militancy along the country’s western and tribal areas.
Sectarian violence, particularly against the Shiite Muslim minority, has been an enduring security challenge in Pakistan. Previous attacks have struck mosques and religious gatherings, with militant groups framing such violence in sectarian terms.
Government Response and Condemnation
Pakistan’s leadership swiftly condemned the bombing. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued separate statements expressing grief for the victims, denouncing the attack as a “crime against humanity,” and pledging full support for victims and their families.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also urged authorities to provide the best possible medical care to the injured, while Shiite community leaders criticised what they described as insufficient security protections and called for urgent reforms.
Humanitarian Impact and Public Reaction
Television footage and social media posts from the scene depicted chaotic and harrowing scenes: rescuers and civilians carrying wounded worshippers on stretchers, bloodstained carpets inside the mosque, and families searching for missing loved ones amid the rubble.
Civilians in the affected neighbourhoods were urged to remain calm as authorities sealed off the blast site for investigation and evidence collection. Hospitals appealed for blood donations, and community relief efforts were mobilised to support survivors and grieving families.
Security Measures and Ongoing Investigation
In the aftermath of the blast, Pakistani security forces tightened vigilance across Islamabad and other major cities. Forensic teams have been deployed to the mosque site to collect evidence, and intelligence agencies are assessing whether the attack was coordinated with wider militant networks.
Officials have promised a full and transparent investigation, with an emphasis on identifying those responsible and preventing further attacks.
Regional and Global Repercussions
The mosque bombing has alarmed regional governments and international partners, many of which have condemned the assault and offered condolences. The incident highlights persistent security vulnerabilities in Pakistan and underscores the ongoing threat posed by extremist violence, both within its borders and in neighbouring countries.
As Pakistan assesses the fallout from this tragic attack, analysts warn that faith-based sites and densely populated religious gatherings remain at risk, and call for enhanced cooperation among domestic and international agencies to counter terrorism and protect vulnerable communities.
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