In a shocking turn of events for Pakistan’s security apparatus, officials have revealed that four alleged facilitators were arrested during multiple raids carried out by police in Peshawar1 and Nowshehra after the gruesome suicide bombing at the Imam Bargah Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra mosque in Islamabad. The bombing killed 33 individuals, with scores of others injured.
The police officer martyred during the attack was part of a relentless effort by law enforcement to dismantle terrorist networks operating in Pakistan and the region. Officials have confirmed the arrest of an Afghan mastermind behind the operation, believed to be linked to the militant group Daesh (ISIS).
This intelligence-led operation has not only netted high-profile suspects but also exposed the involvement of regional elements like the Taliban in orchestrating such attacks from afar.
The arrests were made possible by a combined effort of both technical and human intelligence, which identified and tracked the bomber’s movements. Security sources disclosed that his home was raided during these operations, leading to four additional arrests – including two brothers and a woman.
In related developments, federal ministers, police officials, religious scholars, political leaders, and citizens gathered at the mosques for funeral prayers of those martyred in the bombing. Emotions were palpable as coffins were carried into place amid strict security measures and high alert from law enforcement agencies across Pakistan.
The ongoing operations demonstrate the state’s commitment to securing its territories against such militant threats, with a particular emphasis on curbing regional extremist networks’ influence. The arrests underscore how inter-regional intelligence cooperation is essential in thwarting these plots, even when they originate from areas outside of Pakistan’s immediate borders.
Lahore too has been put on high alert following the incident, reflecting Islamabad’s broader security response. In the aftermath of this tragedy, questions remain about the extent to which extremist groups operate from foreign territories and how regional security partnerships can be strengthened to confront these threats effectively.