Suicide Blast at Islamabad Imambargah Kills 31, Injures 169

**Islamabad:** At least **31 people were killed** and **169 others injured** in a suicide blast at the gate of an Imambargah in the **Tarlai** area of Islamabad on Friday, with authorities warning that the death toll may rise as several injured remain in critical condition.

According to Express News, the explosion occurred at around **1:40 pm**, with the blast heard across surrounding areas. Nearby houses and parked vehicles sustained damage as windows were shattered. Police and rescue teams rushed to the scene, which was immediately cordoned off. Islamabad Inspector General ordered the imposition of emergency measures across the capital.

An emergency was declared at **PIMS, Poly Clinic, and CDA Hospital**, where staff leave was canceled and all major departments—including emergency, orthopedics, burn center, and neurology—were activated. Rangers and Pakistan Army personnel also reached the site, while the Bomb Disposal Squad began investigating the nature of the explosion.

Islamabad district administration said injured victims were shifted to PIMS and Poly Clinic, with assistant commissioners deployed to hospitals to oversee treatment. **PIMS Executive Director Imran Sikandar** confirmed that **28 bodies** and **105 injured** were brought to PIMS, adding that a large number of citizens arrived to donate blood.

At **Poly Clinic**, three people—Aoun Abbas, Dr. Abbas Mehdi, and Nasir Ali—were confirmed dead, while one victim remained unidentified. **Benazir Bhutto Hospital** also received injured victims; one **22-year-old, Zamin Shah**, later succumbed to his injuries. Several other patients remain in critical condition.

Interior Minister **Mohsin Naqvi** visited the Imambargah, reviewed the situation, and left without speaking to the media. It was confirmed that a **cousin of Islamabad IG Ali Nasir Rizvi** was among the martyrs.

Following the attack, **security was placed on high alert in Rawalpindi**, with enhanced protection at mosques and Imambargahs, removal of encroachments around religious sites, and checkpoints set up at entry and exit points. Additional police were deployed at places of worship, including Christian churches in cantonment areas. Rescue 1122 and Civil Defence were also put on high alert.

The **Ministry of Health** announced emergency measures at all federally administered hospitals, ensuring the availability of medicines, equipment, and staff. Minister **Mustafa Kamal** confirmed the cancellation of doctors’, nurses’, and paramedical staff leave.

On the directive of the Interior Minister, **Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry** visited PIMS, met the injured, and instructed hospital authorities to provide all possible medical facilities.

President **Asif Ali Zardari** and Prime Minister **Shehbaz Sharif** strongly condemned the attack, expressed condolences to the families of the victims, and directed authorities to ensure the best treatment for the injured. The Prime Minister ordered a thorough investigation to identify and punish those responsible.

Head of **Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen**, **Allama Raja Nasir Abbas**, also condemned the attack, calling it a grave failure to protect innocent worshippers in the federal capital and expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives.