At least 12 killed in Islamabad court bombing

A suicide bombing outside a district court in Islamabad has killed at least 12 people and wounded 27 others, according to Pakistan’s interior minister.

The attack took place Tuesday morning when a bomber detonated his explosives next to a police car at the entrance of the court.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the attacker failed to enter the court complex and instead targeted the nearby police vehicle. Authorities later confirmed the blast was a suicide bombing after discovering a severed head near the scene, believed to be that of the attacker.

CCTV footage also captured the bomber just before the explosion.

A breakaway faction of the Pakistani Taliban, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, later claimed responsibility for the attack through its leader Omar Mukkaram Khurasani.

However, confusion followed when another senior commander of the group, Sarbakaf Mohmand, denied any involvement in the bombing.

Government points fingers

Speaking to reporters, Naqvi alleged that the attack was carried out by “Indian-backed elements and Afghan Taliban proxies” connected to the Pakistani Taliban. He added that the investigation is ongoing and authorities are “looking into all aspects” of the case.

The explosion shook nearby buildings and sent a plume of smoke into the sky. Witnesses described chaos and panic.

“People started running in all directions,” said Mohammad Afzal, who was at the court when the blast occurred.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the bombing, calling the attack “reprehensible” and promising a swift investigation.

“We will ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and held accountable,” he said. “We will not allow the blood of innocent Pakistanis to go to waste.”

Mounting pressure on Afghanistan

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif blamed the Taliban government in Kabul, accusing it of sheltering Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the militant group responsible for numerous attacks in recent years. Asif warned that Islamabad would respond with full force if attacks continue.

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been escalating since October, following deadly cross-border strikes.

Although a Qatar-brokered ceasefire remains in place, peace talks have stalled. Kabul recently refused to give written assurances that militant groups, including the TTP, would not use Afghan territory to launch attacks on Pakistan.

The TTP, which is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., EU and United Nations, was emboldened after the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Many of its leaders are believed to be operating from Afghan soil, though Kabul continues to deny these claims.

Source: Euronews.

This article is made and published by Camilla Jessen, who may have used AI in the preparation