At least 31 people were killed and another 169 injured in a suicide bombing at an imambargah during Friday prayers in Islamabad, according to authorities.
The explosion occurred at Imambargah Khadijah-tul-Kubra in the Tarlai area of the federal capital.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif suggested India’s and Afghanistan’s involvement in the attack, stating, “It has been proved that the terrorist involved in the attack travelled to and from Afghanistan”.
Muhammad Kazim, a 52-year-old, said an “extremely powerful” explosion ripped through the building as prayers were just starting.
“During the sajda, we heard gunfire,” he told AFP. “And while we were still in the bowing position, an explosion occurred,” he said.
Kazim — from Gilgit-Baltistan who currently lives in Islamabad — escaped unharmed, but accompanied his wounded friend to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences hospital for treatment.
“Debris fell from the roof, and windows were shattered,” he added.
“When I got outside, many bodies were scattered … Many people lost their lives,” he said.
People beat their chest as they mourn the after a deadly explosion at the Khadijah-tul-Kubra immabargah in Islamabad on February 6. — Reuters
An ambulance evacuates casualties after a deadly explosion at Khadijah-tul-Kubra imambargah in Islamabad on February 6. — Reuters
A grieving man is comforted after a deadly explosion at the Khadijah-tul-Kubra imambargah in Islamabad on February 6. — Reuters
A forensic team arrives at the site of a deadly explosion at the Khadijah-tul-Kubra imambargah in Islamabad on February 6. — Reuters
Paramilitary forces stand guard next to a crowd of people gathered near the Khadijah-tul-Kubra imambargah in Islamabad on, February 6. — Reuters
People mourn the death of their relatives outside a hospital in Islamabad on February 6,after a suicide bombing at the Khadijah-tul-Kubra imambargah. — AFP
People chant slogans outside a hospital following a suicide bombing at the Khadijah-tul-Kubra imambargah in Islamabad on February 6. — AFP
Army personnel arrive on scene after a deadly explosion at the Khadijah-tul-Kubra imambargah in Islamabad on February 6. — Reuters
An investigator uses a metal detector to search the blast site after a suicide bombing at the Khadjah-tul-Kubra imambargah in Islamabad on February 6. — AFP
Minister of State for Interior Affairs Tallal Chaudhry speaks with media following a suicide bombing at the Khadijah-tul-Kubra imambargah in Islamabad on February 6. — AFP
Header Image: People mourn the death of their relatives following a suicide bombing at the Khadijah-tul-Kubra imambargah, outside a hospital in Islamabad on February 6. — AFP
