ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry stated on Friday that the deadly blast at an Imambargah in Islamabad was a suicide attack. Authorities had obtained details of the attacker, including his travel history to Afghanistan. Speaking to reporters, Chaudhry said the attacker was not an Afghan national but had traveled to Afghanistan multiple times.
He added that investigators were analyzing the attacker’s network and could reach the perpetrators within 72 hours. Preliminary investigation indicated that 31 people were killed and more than 100 injured. The incident was reported at 1:42 pm, he said.
Hospitals in Islamabad have been placed on emergency footing, Chaudhry said, adding he remained at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) under the directives of both the prime minister and interior minister. The minister alleged that the attack was carried out by militants of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), describing it as an assault on a “soft target.”
“These terrorists have crossed the final limits of cowardice,” he said, without providing evidence. He also mentioned Pakistan had repeatedly stated that such groups were foreign-sponsored and alleged Indian involvement.
Chaudhry claimed that among those killed was a cousin of Islamabad’s Inspector General of Police, stating that the police chief remained on duty despite personal loss. He reaffirmed that the government continued to implement the National Action Plan against militancy and emphasized there would be “no leniency.”
The interior minister visited the site and provided a full briefing. Chaudhry called the attack an assault on worshippers, saying those who were praying before God had been martyred in the name of religion.
He also conveyed concerns to Afghanistan, urging it to fulfill its responsibilities as a neighboring country. Authorities were tracking facilitators linked to the attacker, he added, reiterating that no Afghan national would be allowed to stay illegally in Pakistan.