The incident occurred as international events were being hosted in the capital, including the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference and the 6th Margalla Dialogue, while a cricket match between the Green Shirts and Sri Lanka was also being held in Rawalpindi.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, while briefing the media outside the court, said that a “suicide blast” had occurred at 12:39pm. He said that 12 people were killed and 27 were injured, adding that the wounded were being provided medical treatment, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif personally in touch with the hospitals in question.
Later, however, the spokesperson for the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Dr Mubahshir Daha, said that “12 people have been martyred in the blast”, while the number of injured had risen to 36, as per a statement.
“Following the attack, an emergency has been declared at PIMS, and medical assistance to the injured is underway,” the spokesperson said. “All resources are being utilised to assist the injured.”
Speaking to Dawn, Daha said that “Thirty-six injured people were brought to PIMS, out of which 18 have been discharged after treatment, while 14 have been moved to wards, three are in the emergency section, and one is in the operation theatre.”
In the evening, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal visited the injured at PIMS and directed the hospital staff to provide the best medical assistance to them, a statement said.
Providing details of the blast, Naqvi told reporters that the attacker stood outside the court for around 12 minutes before he detonated the explosives.
“He first attempted to go inside the court, but then targeted the police vehicle after he was unable to do so,” Naqvi said.
He added that an investigation was underway and identifying the attacker was a top priority. “I assure you we will identify him in the next few hours,” he said. “We are linking this blast today with a lot of things and, in the coming hours or days, we will be very clear about it,” the interior minister said.
“We are not taking this blast as just another one,” he added, noting that its timing and the federal capital being targeted “has a lot of messages”.
“I don’t want to say anything about how Indians do…. like where and what happened half an hour before the blast even occurs,” he quipped.
“We will go with complete evidence and details. Whoever is involved in this, whether locals or foreigners, we will not spare anyone,” the minister vowed, affirming that the state will not remain quiet on the matter.
“We have a clear message that whoever did this will bear the consequences.”
The minister detailed that CCTV footage showed that the suicide bomber, standing outside the court building, “kept trying to figure out from different angles how to go inside”.
Responding to queries about those behind the blast, Naqvi said, “As far as this (Islamabad blast) is concerned, we will let you know as soon as this individual is identified.
The minister noted the injured included some police personnel, adding that the driver of the vehicle targeted remained safe. A lawyer was among the casualties, he added.
Asked about any security alerts, the interior minister replied, “There is nothing as such; routine matters are taking place.”
Naqvi noted that various activities were taking place in the capital, including political developments, events involving international guests and sports games. He assured the public that the law enforcement agencies, the army and the Rangers were working together to keep the city secured.
The minister said he had directed the chief commissioner not to allow any vehicles into Islamabad without an e-tag on them after two weeks.
Meanwhile, security around the Judicial Complex, adjoining courts, and other sensitive buildings in Islamabad has been further tightened, police officials told the state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).
Videos of the incident on social media showed flames and plumes of smoke rising into the air from the remains of a charred vehicle behind a security barrier.
Lawyer Mohammed Shahzad Butt, who witnessed the explosion, told AFP that it was a “massive blast”.
“Everyone started running inside out of panic. I have seen at least five dead bodies lying at the front gate,” he told AFP. Rustam Malik, another lawyer, told AFP he “heard a loud bang at the gate” as he was entering the complex. “It was complete chaos, lawyers and people were running inside the complex. I saw two dead bodies lying on the gate, and several cars were on fire,” said Malik.
PM Shehbaz strongly condemned the bombing “by the khawarij active with Indian support and the Fitna al-Hindustan”, according to a statement from the federal government. Extending his prayers for the loved ones of the deceased, he directed that those injured be provided with the best medical facilities.
“The prime minister ordered an investigation into the incident and said that the perpetrators will be brought to justice, come what may,” the statement read.
“Khawarij, active on Indian instigation from Afghanistan, also attacked innocent children in Wana at this time; it is time for the world to condemn such nefarious conspiracies of India,“ it added. “Both attacks are the worst examples of Indian state terrorism in the region.”
“We will continue the war against them until the complete elimination of the scourge of terrorism and the suppression of the last terrorist of Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij,” the statement concluded.
Fitna al-Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Balochistan-based groups are designated as Fitna-al-Hindustan, to indicate India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.
In a post on X, President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his condolences to the bereaved families, prayed for the recovery of the injured, and paid tribute to law enforcement agencies. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif called the incident a “wake-up call”.
“We are in a state of war. Anyone who thinks that the Pakistan Army is fighting this war in the Afghan-Pakistan border region and the remote areas of Balochistan, today’s suicide attack at the Islamabad district courts is a wake-up call,” he said.
“In this environment, it would be futile to hold out greater hope for successful negotiations with the rulers of Kabul,” he added.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that without the use of Afghan soil or facilitation, attacks like the blast in Islamabad and the bombing at Wana Cadet College would not be possible.
“Whenever we arrest terrorists or their handlers, Afghan nationals are among them,” he told Geo News. “Our law enforcement agencies have brought the situation in Wana under control. It is an ongoing development. It appears that these attacks are being carried out on the orders of the Afghan Taliban.”
Tarar mentioned that the attack is clearly linked to India, adding that New Delhi has a mindset that “not only supports the Afghan Taliban, but there is a nexus between India and Afghanistan”.
“Let me assure you, on behalf of the state of Pakistan, the security forces, the Pakistan Army and law enforcement agencies know how to deal with this threat,” Tarar added.
“It is truly upsetting that 12 of our people were killed … but the state will bring whoever is behind terrorism to justice. This conspiracy between the Indian and Afghan-backed Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan will fail.
“Their capacity to hit hard targets has waned, so they are resorting to soft target attacks. This means they are on their last legs,” the information minister added.
Tarar said that the state must act according to the National Action Plan to ensure that attacks like the ones today no longer occur.
“The prime minister has taken strong notice of this and said that he will bring those responsible to justice,” the minister added. “We are fully resolved, fully committed, and the situation will improve, God willing.”
According to Rawalpindi Police, following the suicide attack in Islamabad, a security high alert was issued for Rawalpindi.
Security arrangements for the ongoing One-Day International Match (ODI) match in Rawalpindi have been tightened further,“ the police said in a statement.
A Dawn correspondent in Rawalpindi said that the foolproof security and alternative traffic arrangements were causing difficulties for citizens.“Due to ongoing development projects in Rawalpindi, important roads in the city are also closed, causing the flow of traffic to be diverted towards the adjacent areas and streets,” he said.
Later in the day, Naqvi, who is also the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), visited the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and reviewed in detail the security arrangements for the ongoing match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
According to a press release, Naqvi reiterated that the Sri Lankan team has been accorded the status of State Guests and assured that their security will be ensured at all costs. “He stressed that maintaining peace and stability, along with promoting sports and other activities, is a collective goal.
Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar also condemned the incident in Islamabad and expressed grief over the loss of precious human lives.
“Suicide bombers and terrorists have no religion. They enemies of humanity,” he said, adding that Sindh police had been put on high alert until further orders.
“Checking and surveillance should be tightened at the province’s entry and exit points, important highways, roads and side roads, while intelligence measures should be made more effective and coordinated, especially in crime-affected areas and suburbs,” he said.
Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the blast and wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
“Those who spill the blood of innocent people are enemies of this nation and humanity,” he said as per a statement issued by the PPP media cell, stressing that “terrorists do not deserve any mercy.” National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq, condemning the attack, said, “Terrorists cannot demoralise the nation by their cowardly actions.”
He stressed that national unity was unavoidable to eliminate terrorism. KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi prayed for those killed in the attack, saying, “The incident is extremely regrettable; cowardly attacks cannot dampen our spirits.”
The legal fraternity also strongly denounced the explosion and expressed grief at the passing of their colleagues, praying for the injured and urging strict action against those responsible.
Speaking to the media outside the Supreme Court, senior lawyers expressed deep concern over the prevailing national situation and emphasised the need for solidarity among all segments of society.
Senior lawyer Hamid Khan said the country was “passing through a critical phase and stressed that all institutions and citizens must work together to protect the Constitution,” according to the AAP.
Former Attorney General Munir A. Malik said the entire nation mourned the loss of lives in the incident and stood in solidarity with the victims’ families. Ex-president of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Abid Zuberi, addressed a press conference where he presented a resolution condemning the terrorist attack in the strongest terms and demanding that the perpetrators be brought to justice.
“The lawyers collectively reiterated their firm resolve to defend constitutional supremacy, uphold the independence of the judiciary, and promote unity and peace in the country,” the report said.
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) demanded that those responsible for this barbaric act be brought to justice without delay. Additionally, they called upon the federal government and relevant law enforcement agencies to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of the legal community and of the general citizens to prevent similar incidents in the future.
British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Jane Marriott, asked British citizens to monitor travel advice.“We are aware of an explosion in Islamabad which has reportedly left several people dead,” she wrote on X. “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.”
On the other hand, the United States, the European Union, and China condemned the terrorist attack.
“Our condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in today’s senseless attack,” a statement from the United States Embassy in Islamabad said on X. “We wish a swift recovery to those injured. 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 its nation.”
The European Union also posted a statement on its X account, stating, “We are deeply saddened and appalled by the tragic loss of lives in today’s terrorist attack in Islamabad.
“The EU unequivocally condemns terrorism in all its forms. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families, and we wish a swift recovery to all those injured.”
A statement from China’s Embassy in Pakistan read: “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.
The State of Qatar also denounced the attacks taking place in Islamabad and Wana. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirms Qatar’s firm stance rejecting all forms of violence, terrorism, and criminal acts, regardless of their motives or justifications. “The Ministry expresses the State of Qatar’s sincere condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Pakistan, and wishes a swift recovery to the injured.”