Islamabad: At least 69 people were killed and more than 160 others injured when a suicide bomber triggered explosives outside a Shia place of worship in Pakistan’s capital on Friday, according to local media and security officials.
The explosion struck the Tarlai Imambargah in the Shehzad Town area during afternoon prayers, a time when devotees had gathered in large numbers. Reports said the attacker detonated the device at the shrine’s main gate after security personnel intercepted him before he could enter the prayer hall.
Officials indicated that the intervention likely prevented an even higher death toll. However, the powerful blast ripped through the entrance, damaging adjacent structures, shattering windows and scattering debris across nearby roads.
Update : Islamabad Suicide Blast: 69 Killed In Explosion At Shia Mosque During Friday Prayers#IslamabadBlast #Pakistan #islamabadAttack pic.twitter.com/Qp6JsS3ViD
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Footage from the scene showed extensive structural destruction and multiple casualties amid rubble, underscoring the scale of the impact. In the aftermath, the Islamabad Inspector General of Police declared a city-wide emergency, as rescue and law-enforcement teams rushed to secure the site and evacuate victims.
The injured were taken to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Polyclinic Hospital, officials said. While some media reports estimated the injured toll at over 160, initial government statements confirmed at least 80 wounded, with authorities warning that casualty figures could rise.
The attack comes less than three months after a November 11, 2025 suicide bombing outside a district and sessions court in Islamabad that left 12 people dead and more than 30 injured, highlighting ongoing security concerns in the capital.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, expressing deep grief over the loss of life. In a statement, he assured support for victims’ families and directed authorities to ensure immediate and comprehensive medical treatment for the wounded.
