Islamabad, Pakistan — February 6, 2026 – A devastating suicide attack struck the Imambargah Khadija al-Kubra in the Tarlai sector of Islamabad on Friday afternoon, killing at least 31 people and injuring more than 169 others, officials confirmed. The blast occurred amid Friday congregational prayers, sending worshippers fleeing in panic and leaving a scene of chaos and carnage inside the mosque.
According to law enforcement sources, the suspected suicide bomber attempted to enter the mosque compound, and eyewitnesses reported that security personnel challenged the attacker at the entrance before he detonated his explosive vest among the worshippers.
Casualties and Emergency Response
Hospitals in Islamabad, including the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), received scores of critically injured people, with many brought in on stretchers and by private vehicles as ambulances struggled through the aftermath. Officials described the scene inside the mosque as harrowing, with bodies scattered on the carpet and wounded on the floor crying for help.
Who Was Targeted?
The explosion occurred at a Shia Muslim place of worship, underscoring lingering sectarian tensions in the country. No group has officially claimed responsibility, but initial investigations and official briefings suggest possible links to militant networks that have previously targeted Shia communities. Authorities are examining evidence, while Pakistan’s Defence Minister has stated that the attacker had traveled to Afghanistan multiple times, a claim Kabul’s government has denied.
Official Condemnation and Political Fallout
National leaders responded swiftly with strong condemnation. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described the attack as a heinous act of terrorism, underscoring that those responsible “must be identified and brought to justice immediately.” President Asif Ali Zardari lamented the loss of innocent lives and called the targeting of worshippers “a crime against humanity.” Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar echoed the government’s resolve to pursue extremist networks “to full account.”
The incident comes at a time of heightened security alerts in the federal capital, even as major diplomatic visitors have been in Islamabad this week. It marks the deadliest suicide attack in Islamabad in over a decade and raises pressing questions about internal security, intelligence lapses, and the resilience of militant networks.
Regional and Social Reactions
International missions and foreign governments have expressed condolences, with several calling for unity against terrorism. Local leaders and civil society figures have echoed grief and concern, emphasizing the need for enhanced protection of places of worship and minority communities.
