In brief
A tragic suicide bombing occurred outside a court in Islamabad, claiming 12 lives and injuring at least 27 more. The attacker detonated near a police vehicle after a failed attempt to enter the courthouse. Pakistani officials are investigating links to extremist groups, with accusations directed at India. The incident escalates concerns about security in the capital, as it marks a significant act of violence not seen in recent years.
A suicide attack outside a court in Pakistan's capital Islamabad has killed 12 people and injured at least 27 others, the country's interior minister said.
Mohsin Naqvi stated that the bomber intended to attack the district courthouse but was unable to gain entry.
Naqvi emphasized that authorities would prioritize identifying the bomber and bringing those involved to justice.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif alleged that extremist groups actively backed by India were behind the attack.
A spokesperson for the Indian government responded, labeling the allegations as baseless and unfounded.
In a statement, Sharif condemned terrorist attacks on unarmed Pakistani citizens, attributing responsibility to India's alleged terrorist proxies.
Jumaat Ul Ahrar, a splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack, although TTP's central leadership stated they was not involved.
Suicide blasts in Islamabad have been rare. Eyewitnesses report a scene of chaos following the explosion, which occurred shortly before 1 PM local time.
President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack and extended sympathy to the victims' families.
This incident highlights a resurgence of violence in a region historically plagued by terrorist acts.
