At least 69 people were killed, and 169 were injured after a suicide bomber detonated himself inside a shrine in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. The explosion occurred at Tarlai Imambargah, situated in the Shehzad Town area of the city.
According to Pakistani media reports, a suicide bomber detonated explosives at the main gate of the Shia place of worship during afternoon hours.
Following the blast, the Islamabad Inspector General of Police declared a city-wide emergency while rescue and law-enforcement teams rushed to the scene amid fears of multiple casualties, The Times of Islamabad reported.
Pakistan Blast Live | "Crime Against Humanity": Pak President Condemns The Attack
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack in separate statements and extended condolences to the families of those killed. They instructed that all possible medical assistance be provided for those wounded.
"Targeting innocent civilians is a crime against humanity," Zardari said. "The nation stands with the affected families in this difficult time."
(AP)
Pakistan Blast Live | "Cowardly Attack": Pakistani Politicians Condemn Suicide Blast
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry condemned the attack calling it a "cowardly attack".
"Such acts of terrorism cannot dampen the morale of the nation. The need of the hour is that we all stand united for peace, tolerance, and stability, and express solidarity with law enforcement agencies," the minister said.
Pakistan Blast Live: Eyewitness Recounts Bombing Horror
Rescuers and wounded described a harrowing scene, with bodies and wounded lying on the mosque's carpeted floor. Hussain Shah said he was praying in the mosque courtyard when he heard a sudden, loud explosion.
"I immediately thought that some big attack has happened," he said. He then went into the mosque to utter chaos - many of the wounded were screaming and crying out for help. Shah said he counted around 30 bodies inside the mosque, while the number of wounded appeared to be significantly higher.
(AP)
Pakistan Suicide Blast: 69 Killed, 169 Injured In Suicide Bombing At Shrine In Islamabad
At least 69 people were killed and many were injured after a suicide bomber detonated himself inside a shrine in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. The explosion occurred at Tarlai Imambargah, situated in the Shehzad Town area of the city.
Pakistan Blast Live: Pakistani Taliban, Islamic State Group Suspected For Blast
No one immediately claimed responsibility for the explosion, but suspicion is likely to fall on militants such as the Pakistani Taliban or the Islamic State group, which has been blamed for previous attacks on Shiite worshippers, a minority in the country. Militants often target security forces and civilians across Pakistan.
Though attacks are not so frequent in Islamabad, Pakistan has seen a surge in militant violence in recent months, largely blamed on Baloch separatist groups and the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, which is a separate group, but allied with Afghanistan's Taliban. A regional affiliate of the Islamic State group has also been active in the country.
(AP)
