ISLAMABAD(National times)- The death toll from the suicide attack at an imambargah in Islamabad has risen to 33 after another injured victim died in hospital, as funeral prayers for several of those killed were held with large public attendance. The blast took place during Friday prayers at Imambargah and Mosque Khadijat al-Kubra in the Tarlai area of the federal capital. Authorities said the attacker detonated explosives at the entrance after opening fire, causing mass casualties among worshippers gathered for prayers. Hospital officials confirmed that a total of 149 victims were brought to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) following the explosion, including 121 injured people and 28 bodies. With the latest fatality among the wounded, the number of those killed has reached 33. After overnight treatment and emergency procedures, 64 injured people remain admitted at Pims. Of these, 20 are reported to be in critical condition, while nine are being treated in the intensive care unit. Medical teams are continuing treatment in Surgical Ward 1 and Surgical Ward 4. Another 13 injured victims are under care at the Polyclinic Hospital in Islamabad. Rescue teams and law enforcement units reached the site shortly after the explosion and shifted the wounded and the deceased to nearby hospitals. Security forces, including army troops and Rangers, sealed off the area and began a formal investigation. Investigators said they recovered the suspected bomber’s identity card from the scene. According to Nadra records, the card identified him as Yasir, 32, a resident of Peshawar. Initial findings suggest he had spent the past five months in Afghanistan, where he allegedly received training in weapons handling and suicide bombing techniques.
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Funeral prayers for a number of victims were offered in Islamabad, attended by Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, and large crowds of mourners. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said authorities are tracing those who facilitated and handled the attacker, adding that critically injured victims are receiving the best available medical care. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said the suspect had a history of travel to Afghanistan and alleged foreign sponsorship behind the assault in a public statement.
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Separately, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghaddam, who conveyed condolences over the incident. The Foreign Office said Dar condemned the attack and reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to combat terrorism in all forms, while also stressing continued engagement with Iran in areas of mutual interest. Dar also received a phone call from Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov, who expressed condolences on behalf of Azerbaijan’s leadership and people, and conveyed solidarity with Pakistan. Officials said both sides also discussed regional and international developments and reaffirmed bilateral cooperation.
