A suicide attack outside a court in Pakistan's capital Islamabad has killed 12 people and injured at least 27 more, the country's interior minister said.
Mohsin Naqvi stated that a bomber had planned to attack the district courthouse but was unable to gain entry.
He assured the public that authorities would prioritize identifying the bomber, stating that those responsible would be brought to justice.
Such suicide blasts in Islamabad have been rare in recent years. Footage from the scene revealed the remnants of a burned-out vehicle and a police cordon securing the area.
The injured victims are currently receiving medical treatment, according to Naqvi. He reported that the attacker detonated the explosive device near a police car after waiting for approximately 15 minutes.
President Asif Ali Zardari has condemned the suicide blast, emphasizing the need for justice.
An eyewitness, lawyer Rustam Malik, shared his experience, mentioning a loud bang and ensuing chaos as people rushed into the courthouse complex. I saw two dead bodies lying at the gate and several cars on fire, he recounted.
