In brief
A suicide attack occurred outside a courthouse in Islamabad, Pakistan, resulting in 12 fatalities and 27 injuries. The bomber attempted to carry out an attack, but was unable to breach the courthouse. Pakistani authorities are focused on identifying those responsible while political tensions rise, with allegations directed towards extremist groups. The incident marks a rare case of suicide violence in the capital in recent years.
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.
Naqvi informed the media that a bomber intended to target the district courthouse but was thwarted from entering the premises. Authorities are prioritizing the identification of the bomber with a strong emphasis on bringing those responsible to justice.
In a statement regarding the attack, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accused extremist groups allegedly supported by India of involvement. However, a spokesperson for the Indian government categorically denied these accusations, calling them unfounded.
Local reports identified Jumaat Ul Ahrar, a splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), as claiming responsibility for the attack. However, conflicting messages from TTP's central leadership indicated no connection to the explosion.
Suicide blasts in Islamabad have been notably rare in recent years. Eyewitness accounts detailed moments of chaos post-explosion, with one lawyer describing the scene as filled with panic and destruction, including charred vehicles and debris.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the act, reiterating the government's commitment to addressing terrorism in the region.
The incident highlighted a concerning trend, as the last major suicide bombing in the capital occurred three years ago. Meanwhile, a separate explosion in India’s capital Delhi also drew attention, although officials have not categorized that incident as a terror attack.
