Was Islamabad Suicide Bomber Afghan citizen? Minister’s Revelation raises new questions

2026-02-06 - 16:26

ISLAMABAD — Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, on Friday clarified that the suicide bomber involved in the deadly attack on an imambargah in Islamabad was not an Afghan citizen, though forensic analysis has revealed that he had traveled to Afghanistan multiple times. Speaking to the media in Islamabad, Chaudhry said investigators recovered usable forensic evidence from the attacker’s remains, which helped trace his travel history. He emphasized that while the bomber’s nationality was Pakistani, links through cross-border movement were now part of the investigation. The suicide bombing, which took place during Friday prayers at an imambargah in the Tarlai area, killed 31 people and injured more than 160, according to Islamabad authorities. Among the dead was a first cousin of the Inspector General of Islamabad, the minister confirmed. Chaudhry said rescue teams reached the scene within 12 minutes, and an emergency was immediately declared at major hospitals across the capital, including PIMS and Polyclinic. He added that the recent wave of terrorism in Pakistan has increasingly targeted soft targets such as mosques, imambargahs, and markets, often exploiting religious and ethnic fault lines. “The terrorists are under pressure and acting in panic,” he said, adding that recent attacks reflect desperation rather than strength. Referring to security operations in Balochistan, Chaudhry claimed militant groups had attempted to surprise the state but instead suffered heavy casualties themselves. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, expressed condolences to the victims’ families, and ordered a full investigation to identify and punish those responsible. He directed the health ministry to personally oversee medical treatment for the injured and ensure the best possible care. The impact of the attack was also felt in financial markets. Following news of the bombing, the Pakistan Stock Exchange saw sharp selling pressure, with the KSE-100 Index plunging 4,200 points to 183,600. Market analysts attributed the fall to panic selling, compounded by existing investor caution over geopolitical tensions, including ongoing Iran–US negotiations. Authorities say investigations into the attack are ongoing, with a focus on identifying facilitators and networks linked to the bomber’s movements, including his travel to Afghanistan. https://pakobserver.net/islamabad-imam-bargah-bomb-blast-live-updates/