31 killed, 169 injured in suspected suicide blast near mosque in Pakistan

At least 31 people were killed and 169 others injured after a suspected suicide blast struck a religious centre in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, on Friday, officials and local media said.

The explosion occurred at the Tarlai Imambargah, a Shia mosque in the Shehzad Town area of the federal capital. The incident took place during the two-day official visit of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

Police and rescue teams rushed to the scene and launched relief operations as hospital authorities declared an emergency. The injured were shifted to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Polyclinic Hospital for treatment.

Islamabad Capital Territory Police spokesperson Taqi Jawad said it was too early to determine the nature of the blast, adding that forensic teams would examine whether it was a suicide attack or caused by a planted explosive device.

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack and directed authorities to ensure the best possible medical care for those injured. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry also denounced the blast, saying such acts of terrorism would not weaken the nation’s resolve and called for unity, peace and solidarity with law-enforcement agencies.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the explosion. However, suspicion is likely to fall on militant groups such as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or Islamic State affiliates, which have been linked to previous attacks targeting Shia worshippers, a minority community in the country.

The blast comes nearly a week after security forces clashed with Baloch separatists, killing around 216 militants, and less than three months after a suicide bombing outside a district and sessions court building in Islamabad killed 12 people and injured 30 in November 2025.

Authorities said security had been tightened across the capital as investigations continued.