A suicide attack outside a court in Pakistan's capital Islamabad has killed 12 people and injured at least 27 others, according to the country's interior minister.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that the bomber had planned to target the district courthouse but was thwarted in gaining entry.
Authorities are currently focused on identifying the perpetrator of the attack and ensuring justice is served. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has accused extremist groups allegedly supported by India for their involvement in this tragedy, a claim that the Indian government has dismissed as 'baseless and unfounded.'
Additionally, the militant group Jumaat Ul Ahrar, which is a splinter faction of the Pakistani Taliban, has purportedly claimed responsibility for the attack. However, internal communications from the Pakistani Taliban's central leadership indicate a denial of involvement.
Suicide bombings have largely become rare in Islamabad over the past few years. Footage from the attack scene displayed the remains of a burned vehicle and security forces establishing a perimeter around the area.
Naqvi confirmed that the injured are receiving necessary medical treatment, stating that the suicide bomber detonated the explosives after waiting close to a police vehicle for approximately 15 minutes.
Witness accounts describe chaos, with one lawyer recalling hearing a loud explosion as people rushed for safety within the courthouse complex. President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the attack, expressing solidarity with the victims.
This tragic event recalls not only the persistent threat of terrorism within Pakistan but also exacerbates ongoing tensions in the region involving allegations of external interference.




















