A suicide attack outside a court in Pakistan's capital Islamabad has killed 12 people and injured at least 27 others, according to the country's interior minister, Mohsin Naqvi. The attacker planned to target the district courthouse but was unsuccessful in gaining entry to the building.
Naqvi stated that efforts are underway to identify the bomber, asserting that those responsible would face justice. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accused extremist groups allegedly backed by India of involvement in the attack, a claim that has been denied by the Indian government as 'baseless.'
Local media reports indicate that Jumaat Ul Ahrar, a splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), has claimed responsibility, although TTP's central leadership has distanced itself from the incident.
Suicide bombings in Islamabad have been notably rare in recent years. Eyewitness accounts describe the scene as chaotic, with various vehicles ablaze and injured individuals being evacuated from the area following the blast, which occurred around 12:39 PM local time.
After the attack, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari expressed strong condemnation, with high expectations on security forces to investigate the incident thoroughly. This event marks a significant escalation in violence, with administrative officials urging quick resolution while the public grapples with the aftermath of the tragedy.
Naqvi stated that efforts are underway to identify the bomber, asserting that those responsible would face justice. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accused extremist groups allegedly backed by India of involvement in the attack, a claim that has been denied by the Indian government as 'baseless.'
Local media reports indicate that Jumaat Ul Ahrar, a splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), has claimed responsibility, although TTP's central leadership has distanced itself from the incident.
Suicide bombings in Islamabad have been notably rare in recent years. Eyewitness accounts describe the scene as chaotic, with various vehicles ablaze and injured individuals being evacuated from the area following the blast, which occurred around 12:39 PM local time.
After the attack, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari expressed strong condemnation, with high expectations on security forces to investigate the incident thoroughly. This event marks a significant escalation in violence, with administrative officials urging quick resolution while the public grapples with the aftermath of the tragedy.
