Pakistan Mosque Attack Leaves 31 Dead and 169 Injured

Image: Jihad Watch

A devastating explosion tore through a Shiite mosque on the outskirts of Pakistan’s capital during Friday prayers, killing at least 31 people and injuring more than 169 others, officials confirmed. Authorities said they are investigating whether the blast was caused by a suicide bomber, raising fears of a deliberate and coordinated terrorist attack on worshippers.

The bombing struck the Khadija Al-Kubra mosque, a large and crowded place of worship, at a time when hundreds of faithful had gathered for the important weekly prayers. Officials warned that the death toll could rise further, as several of the injured were reported to be in critical condition. Emergency services rushed to the scene, while television footage and social media images showed police officers, rescue workers, and local residents carrying the wounded to nearby hospitals in an urgent race to save lives.

Survivors and rescuers described scenes of horror and confusion inside the mosque. The blast left bodies scattered across the carpeted prayer hall, while injured worshippers lay bleeding, calling out for help. Many were visibly shaken, struggling to comprehend the sudden violence in what should have been a place of peace and safety.

Hussain Shah, who was present during the attack, said he was praying in the mosque’s courtyard when he heard a powerful explosion. “I immediately thought that some big attack has happened,” he recalled. When he rushed inside, he was confronted with chaos. “People were screaming and crying for help. There was blood everywhere,” Shah said. He estimated that he saw around 30 bodies inside the mosque, while the number of wounded appeared to be far higher.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. However, suspicion is likely to fall on militant organizations such as the Pakistani Taliban or the Islamic State group, both of which have been linked to previous attacks on Shiite communities in Pakistan. Shiites, who form a minority in the country, have repeatedly been targeted in sectarian violence over the years.

While large-scale attacks are relatively rare in Islamabad compared to other parts of Pakistan, the country has experienced a sharp rise in militant violence in recent months. Much of this increase has been attributed to Baloch separatist groups and the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The TTP is a separate organization but is known to have close ties with Afghanistan’s Taliban. In addition, a regional affiliate of the Islamic State group has also been active, further complicating Pakistan’s already fragile security situation.

The attack has once again highlighted the persistent threat of militancy in Pakistan and the continued vulnerability of religious minorities, even in areas considered relatively secure.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)