The Islamic State (ISIS) group has claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque in Islamabad that killed at least 31 people and injured 169 others on Friday, marking the deadliest attack in Pakistan’s capital since the 2008 Marriott Hotel bombing.
Local media reported that the blast struck the Imam Bargah Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra mosque in the Tarlai area during Friday prayers, when the mosque was packed with worshippers. In a statement carried by the SITE Intelligence Group, which tracks jihadist communications, ISIS said one of its militants detonated an explosive vest inside the mosque, causing “a large number of deaths and injuries.” The extremist group has repeatedly targeted Pakistan’s Shia minority in sectarian attacks.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said security personnel challenged the attacker as he approached the mosque, prompting him to open fire before detonating the explosives. “He then blew himself up while standing in the last row of worshippers,” Asif said, blaming the Afghan Taliban for the attack and warning of a response with “full force.”
Eyewitness Muhammad Kazim, 52, said the explosion was “extremely powerful” and occurred moments after prayers began. “During the first bow of the namaz, we heard gunfire,” he told AFP.
Funerals and arrests
Thousands of mourners gathered across Islamabad on Saturday to attend funerals for the victims, with emotional scenes reported at multiple burial sites.
Officials said several relatives of the bomber had been arrested. A security official told AFP, on condition of anonymity, that the attacker’s mother was taken into custody from an upscale neighbourhood of Islamabad, while his brother and other relatives were detained in different parts of the country.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the bombing and vowed to track down those responsible and bring them to justice. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar described the attack as a “heinous crime against humanity” and a “blatant violation of Islamic principles.” The attack comes nearly three months after a suicide blast outside a district and sessions court complex in Islamabad killed 12 people and injured 30 others in November 2025.
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