A suicide attack outside a court in Pakistan's capital Islamabad has claimed the lives of 12 individuals and injured at least 27 others, according to the country's interior minister Mohsin Naqvi.
The bomber reportedly aimed to hit the district courthouse but was unable to gain entry. Naqvi emphasized that the authorities would focus on identifying the attacker, promising justice for the victims.
In a further development, Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif blamed 'extremist groups actively backed by India' for the attack, an allegation that India has categorically denied, calling it 'baseless and unfounded'.
The group Jumaat Ul Ahrar, a splinter faction of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), has reportedly claimed responsibility for the deadly blast. However, reports from local journalists suggest TTP's central leadership denied any connection to the incident.
This tragic incident is notable as suicide bombings in Islamabad have become increasingly rare in recent years. Footage from the scene depicted the wreckage of a burnt-out vehicle alongside police barricades.
According to Naqvi, the attacker detonated the explosives close to a parked police car after a wait of approximately 15 minutes. Eyewitness accounts described chaotic scenes following the explosion, which took place at 12:39 local time (07:39 GMT).
In a statement condemning the attack, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his outrage over the loss of life.
The investigation continues as the injured individuals receive medical attention. This bombing follows a separate incident in India's capital, Delhi, which resulted in multiple fatalities, though officials have not labeled it a terror attack.
This incident marks a significant escalation in violence, drawing scrutiny on the security situation in Pakistan where attacks, particularly in Islamabad, have diminished in recent years.
