UPDATE: Four suspects, including the alleged mastermind of a devastating bombing, have been arrested in connection with the attack on a mosque in Islamabad that claimed 31 lives and injured 169 others. This urgent development was confirmed by Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who stated that investigations are ongoing.
The bombing occurred during Friday prayers at a Shiite mosque in the Tarlai area of Islamabad, where a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vest packed with worshipers. The Islamic State has since claimed responsibility for the attack, marking it as the deadliest in Pakistan’s capital in over a decade.
During police raids to apprehend the suspects, one counterterrorism officer was killed, and three others were wounded. Among those arrested is an Afghan national believed to be the mastermind behind the attack. Naqvi emphasized the ongoing threat, stating that this individual had traveled across the border multiple times but was confirmed not to be an Afghan citizen.
Large crowds gathered in Islamabad on Saturday as the community mourned the tragic loss of life and prepared for funerals. The attack’s severity has prompted accusations from Pakistani officials, with Naqvi alleging that India provided funding to those who executed the bombing. In response, India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack and dismissed the accusations as “baseless.”
Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif also suggested potential involvement from the Afghan government, which Afghan officials have denied, calling the allegations “regrettable” and lacking “credible evidence.”
This brutal attack followed a series of violent incidents in the region, including a recent bombing in Balochistan that killed 58 people. The Balochistan Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for those assaults, while Pakistani forces have engaged in retaliatory operations, reportedly killing an estimated 200 BLA militants.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are under immense pressure to ensure the safety of citizens in a nation grappling with escalating violence. The urgency of these developments has left the community searching for answers and justice.
Stay tuned for updates as officials continue to provide information on this ongoing investigation and the broader implications for security in Pakistan.
