At least 12 martyred, 36 injured in Islamabad suicide blast

A suicide blast rocked the federal capital on Tuesday, leaving at least 12 martyred and 36 injured outside the District Judicial Complex in Islamabad's G-11 area, said a spokesperson for the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims).

A total of 36 people injured in the Islamabad district court blast were brought to Pims Hospital, Dr Mubashir Daha said.

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A total of 36 people injured in the Islamabad district court blast were brought to PIMS Hospital, spokesperson Dr Mubashir Daha said.

He confirmed that 18 of the injured had been discharged after receiving medical treatment. "Four of the injured are in critical condition, while 14 others have been shifted to wards as their condition is now stable," Dr Daha stated.

According to the hospital spokesperson, 10 victims killed in the explosion have been identified so far, while the identities of two deceased individuals are still being verified.

Speaking to reporters outside the Pims Hospital, Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal said that overall, 22 injured people are under treatment at the hospital, whereas two victims have been taken to a private hospital by their families.

He also said that the hospital's disaster ward was opened to facilitate the treatment of the blast victims.

Speaking to the media, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the suicide attack took place at 12:39pm today.

The security czar said the suicide bomber was trying to enter the courthouse, but “when he did not get an opportunity, he attacked a police vehicle”.

Noting that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed to ensure the best medical assistance to those injured, the Naqvi said that the first priority will be to identify the suicide bomber.

"Those behind the court attack will be brought to light," the minister noted, adding: "There are many links in today's attack; evidence will be brought to light soon".

"There are many messages in this attack. If someone from another country is involved, it will not be forgiven," he warned.

Naqvi further revealed that the suicide bomber remained at the site for 10 to 15 minutes, planning to enter the building before carrying out the attack. He added that the attacker detonated the explosives as soon as a police vehicle arrived.

Earlier, the security czar visited the site of the explosion outside Islamabad’s district courts and directed that the search operation be completed swiftly. Inspector General of Islamabad Police (IGP) Ali Nasir Rizvi briefed the minister on the incident.

He also directed authorities to submit a comprehensive investigation report.

Earlier, police said that the explosion occurred in a car parked outside the court. 

The injured reportedly included the petitioners and lawyers. The building of the kacheri court was vacated after the explosion. Those present inside the building were being evacuated through the back door of the facility and court proceedings were suspended.

Islamabad deputy inspector general (DIG), chief commissioner and forensic team arrived at the site of the explosion soon after, while the rescue teams and law enforcers shifted the deceased and injured to the hospital.

An emergency has been declared at the capital's Pims hospital.

Sources later revealed that the "head" of the suspected suicide bomber was found at the place of the explosion.

They said the bombing was carried out by India-backed terrorists and the Afghan Taliban's proxy, Fitna al-Khawarij.

The attack comes a day after a group of militants infiltrated Wana Cadet College in South Waziristan.

CCTV footage of the suicide blast at Islamabad's kachehri has surfaced, showing the moments leading up to the deadly explosion.

The video captures a large number of lawyers and citizens present at the site shortly before the blast.

A police mobile can also be seen stationed near the location at the time of the explosion, moments before chaos erupted in the area.

Hours before the explosion at the Islamabad district courts, multiple social media posts originating from Afghanistan hinted at possible militant activity, sources told Geo News.

According to the sources, the blast occurred at around 12:45pm, while threatening messages and cryptic posts had begun appearing on Afghan social media accounts early in the morning.

One of the posts from an account linked to the Taliban’s X handle, "Khorasan al-Arabi", carried the Arabic phrase "Bismillah ir-Rahman ir-Rahim" shortly after the explosion — a message officials described as reflecting sinister intent.

At around 6:45am, another Taliban-linked X account reportedly shared posts reading "Coming soon Islamabad", further raising suspicions of coordination, the sources added.

Officials noted that similar threatening messages were circulated during the Afghan military parade, in which users posted provocative statements about raising the Afghan flag in Lahore and setting Islamabad on fire.

Afghan news handle "Amaj News" also reposted some of these threatening messages on November 2, according to the sources.

Authorities believe the Islamabad and New Delhi blasts may reflect a collaborative effort by Pakistan's adversaries, aimed at destabilising the country and undermining its security.

Condemnations

President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the suicide blast near the Islamabad District Judicial Complex, expressed deep condolences with the bereaved families, prayed for the early recovery of the injured, and paid tribute to law enforcement agencies.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack carried out in the federal capital, describing it as a heinous act of terror orchestrated by Indian-backed proxies operating from Afghan soil.

The premier expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives and prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs and patience for their families. "My heartfelt sympathies, as well as those of the entire nation, are with the families of the martyrs," read a statement released by the Prime Minister's Office.

He also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured and directed the authorities concerned to ensure the best possible medical treatment for them.

Condemning the "Indian-sponsored terrorist proxies", the prime minister said that targeting innocent Pakistani citizens through cross-border terrorism was an abhorrent and cowardly act. "These attacks are a continuation of India's state-sponsored terrorism aimed at destabilising Pakistan," he added.

PM Shehbaz revealed that while Indian-backed militants struck in Islamabad, the same network operating from Afghan territory had also attacked innocent children in Wana. "No condemnation is enough for these attacks being carried out from Afghan soil under Indian patronage," he said.

He reiterated that the blood of innocent Pakistanis would not go in vain. "We will continue our war against terrorism until the last terrorist of the so-called 'Fitna-e-Hindustan' and 'Fitna-e-Khawarij' is eliminated," he vowed.

The PM directed the concerned institutions to conduct a thorough investigation into the incidents and ensure that the perpetrators and their facilitators are brought to justice.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif wrote on X that Pakistan is in a state of war, warning that no one should believe the fight is limited to the Pak-Afghan border or remote parts of Balochistan.

He added that the attack should serve as a "wake-up call" for the entire nation. "This is a war that belongs to all of Pakistan," he stressed.

He noted that the Pakistan Army "makes sacrifices every day to give the people a sense of security".

Asif said that expecting successful negotiations with the Kabul rulers in the current situation would be futile. "The Afghan authorities can stop terrorism, but bringing this war to Islamabad is their message," he remarked.

"Pakistan, by the grace of Allah, has the full strength to respond to Kabul's message," he added.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi strongly condemned the terrorist attack on Wana Cadet College, terming the assault on innocent students and educational institutions an act of extreme cowardice.

He announced that a peace jirga would be held tomorrow (Wednesday) to chalk out a joint strategy for uprooting terrorism in the province.

Afridi said that all political, religious, and tribal leaders from across the province had been invited to participate in the jirga.

The Chinese Embassy has condemned the suicide attack. In an X post, the Chinese Embassy said: "We strongly condemn the suicide blast near Islamabad District Judicial Complex, extend our deepest condolences to the deceased victims, express our sincere sympathies to their families and the injured, and we wish for the early recovery of the injured."

Qatar also expressed condemnation following the deadly attacks in Islamabad and South Waziristan.

"The State of Qatar strongly condemns and denounces the attacks taking place in Islamabad, the capital of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and in the city of Wana, South Waziristan, which result in deaths and injuries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The ministry reaffirmed Qatar's firm stance rejecting all forms of violence, terrorism, and criminal acts, regardless of their motives or justifications.

Doha expressed sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Pakistan, and wished a swift recovery to the injured.

Expressing sorrow over the incident, UK High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott wrote on X: "We are aware of an explosion in Islamabad which has reportedly left several people dead. We are closely tracking, and British nationals should monitor travel advice. My thoughts are with the loved ones of those who have lost their lives."

US Charge d'Affaires Natalie Baker also condemned the Islamabad blast and said that the United States stands in solidarity with Pakistan in the struggle against terrorism.

"Our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in today's senseless attack. We wish a swift recovery to those injured," read an X post by the US Embassy in Islamabad.

"We condemn this attack and all forms of terrorism and remain committed to supporting the Government of Pakistan’s efforts to ensure peace and stability in their nation."

Rising terrorism

Pakistan has been grappling with rising terror incidents, particularly in KP and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban regime took power in 2021.

Since then, terrorists have carried out hundreds of cross-border terror attacks in Pakistan, leading to the martyrdom of soldiers and countless civilians, including women and children.

During the first eight months of 2025, KP alone recorded over 600 terror incidents, resulting in the martyrdom of at least 138 civilians and 79 police personnel.

Pakistan has long urged the Afghan Taliban regime to prevent its soil from being used to launch attacks inside Pakistan.

The cross-border terrorism also resulted in tense border clashes between forces from the two neighbouring countries in October.

Pakistan struck multiple Taliban posts along the border on October 12 after they, aided by affiliated militants, resorted to unprovoked firing.

Pakistan's retaliatory strikes resulted in the killing of over 200 Afghan Taliban and affiliated militants.

As many as 23 Pakistani soldiers also embraced martyrdom during the clashes.

Security forces also destroyed terrorists' multiple strongholds in "precision strikes" in Afghanistan's Kandahar province and Kabul.

The two countries have since stopped hostilities after a ceasefire agreement, requested by the Afghan Taliban regime.