Islamabad Rocked: Deadly Blast Claims Lives, Minister Confirms

Deadly Suicide Bombing Rocks Islamabad, Killing 12

Islamabad, Pakistan – A suicide bombing outside a district court in Islamabad has left 12 people dead and at least 27 injured, sending shockwaves through the Pakistani capital. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the details of the attack, stating that the bomber intended to target the courthouse itself but was unable to gain entry.

Islamabad Rocked: Deadly Blast Claims Lives, Minis...

According to Naqvi, the attacker waited near the entrance for approximately 15 minutes before detonating the explosives close to a police vehicle. Authorities are now prioritizing the identification of the bomber and have vowed to bring all those involved to justice. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

The blast caused widespread panic and

The blast caused widespread panic and chaos in the area. Rustam Malik, a lawyer who was parking his car nearby, described a scene of pandemonium following the explosion. "It was complete chaos," he told AFP. "Lawyers and people were running inside the complex. I saw two dead bodies lying on the gate and several cars were on fire."

President Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned the attack, expressing his condolences to the victims and their families.

The bombing comes at a tense time, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif alleging that extremist groups "actively backed by India" were behind the attack. He condemned what he described as "terrorist attacks on unarmed citizens of Pakistan by India's terrorist proxies." India has not yet responded to these accusations, but has previously denied similar claims.

The incident has raised concerns about

The incident has raised concerns about security in the capital. While suicide attacks have occurred in other parts of Pakistan in recent years, this is the first such attack in Islamabad since a bombing three years ago that killed a police officer and injured several others.

The attack in Islamabad coincides with a separate explosion in Delhi, India, on Monday, which killed eight people and injured several others. While the Indian government has not officially labeled the Delhi incident a terror attack, the case has been referred to the country's anti-terror body. The cause of the Delhi explosion remains under investigation.

The timing of these two incidents, occurring in quick succession and amidst heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, is likely to further strain relations between the two nations. The investigation into the Islamabad bombing is ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the identity of the perpetrator and the motives behind this devastating attack.