Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
A deadly suicide bombing struck a Shiite mosque in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, on Friday, killing dozens of worshippers and injuring scores more in one of the most severe attacks to hit the city in recent years.
Pakistani authorities said the explosion occurred during Friday prayers at a Shiite mosque in a suburban area of the capital, triggering chaos as emergency services rushed to the scene. Ambulances and security forces were immediately deployed, while hospitals across the city were placed on high alert and a state of emergency was declared in medical facilities to cope with the influx of casualties.
According to senior police officials, at least 31 people were killed and 169 others injured in the blast. Earlier figures released by police and cited by local media and international news agencies had reported lower casualty numbers, reflecting the evolving nature of the situation as rescue operations and medical assessments continued.
A high-ranking police source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the attacker appeared to have carried out a suicide bombing shortly after the conclusion of prayers. The force of the explosion caused significant damage inside the mosque and surrounding areas, with witnesses describing scenes of panic and devastation.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but Pakistani authorities have launched a full investigation. Security officials are examining the possibility of sectarian motives, as Shiite communities in Pakistan have frequently been targeted by extremist groups in the past.
The bombing comes amid heightened security tensions across Pakistan, where militant attacks have increased in frequency in recent months, particularly against religious minorities and security forces. Although Islamabad has generally been considered more secure than other parts of the country, the attack underscores growing concerns about the reach and resilience of militant networks.
Government officials condemned the attack and pledged to bring those responsible to justice, while political and religious leaders called for unity and calm. Security has been tightened across the capital, with additional patrols deployed around religious sites and sensitive locations.
As families mourn the victims, the attack has once again reignited debate in Pakistan over sectarian violence, intelligence failures, and the urgent need for stronger measures to protect places of worship across the country.
