Relatives of Islamabad bomber arrested amid nationwide manhunt

In a significant development for Pakistan’s security forces, close relatives of the suicide bomber who struck an Imambargah in Islamabad’s Tarlai area have been arrested. Intelligence sources revealed that the brother-in-law of the bomber was apprehended in Karachi, while his other sibling was taken into custody in Peshawar.

A key facilitator linked to the attack was also neutralized during operations carried out in Nowshera. The arrest, according to intelligence agencies, has proven most impactful with the detainment of the bomber’s mother from a posh area of Islamabad. Authorities believe they are dismantling a network involved in the deadly operation that resulted in at least 32 deaths and over 169 injuries.

The Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra had been the scene of Friday prayers when the devastating attack occurred, with security agencies operating nationwide to curb threats emanating from this suspected terrorist cell. The arrest has brought more clarity to the case as investigators have confirmed that the bomber was Yasir Khan—a resident of Peshawar who had traveled to Afghanistan multiple times and underwent training at a Mansoor Istashhadi facility.

Minister Talal Chaudhry mentioned that while the bomber, identified as Yasir Khan, is not an Afghan national, forensic analysis indicates he returned from Afghanistan several times. He has already been labeled by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif as “enemies of both religion and nation,” with evidence emerging to suggest a nexus between India and the Taliban group.

In response to these allegations, Defense Minister Asif highlighted that security forces would respond with full force against such perpetrators, who are accused of orchestrating attacks in Pakistan. The State broadcaster, PTV News, also emphasized the broader regional threat posed by terror groups present in Afghanistan and claimed an India-Afghanistan alliance behind these operations.

The attack on Friday prayers at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra marked one of the deadliest incidents in Islamabad since 2011, surpassing the previous record set during the Peshawar mosque bombing last January. The bomber’s mother’s arrest underscores a key step in unraveling the network responsible for this lethal operation.