At least 15 people were killed and more than 80 others injured in a suicide bombing during Friday prayers at an imambargah (religious building) in the federal capital's Tarlai area, police and district authorities said, Report informs via The Nation.
According to a police statement, the explosion occurred at Imambargah Khadijat-ul-Kubra when a suspected suicide bomber attempted to enter the premises. Officials said the attacker detonated his explosives after being stopped at the entrance.
Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon, in a post on X, confirmed the casualties, stating that 15 victims had been brought dead to various hospitals, while over 80 injured were receiving treatment.
An emergency was declared at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), Polyclinic Hospital and the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Hospital to cope with the influx of casualties. Assistant commissioners were deployed to oversee medical arrangements and facilitate treatment for the wounded.
Pims administration reported that 11 bodies and 60 injured individuals had so far been shifted to the facility, adding that the hospital had reached its capacity. Several injured persons were subsequently transferred to other hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi due to pressure on medical resources.
The blast site was sealed off as police, Pakistan Army troops and Rangers cordoned off the surrounding area. Security forces launched search and clearance operations in and around the locality.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extending condolences to the families of the victims.
A blast has been reported at a mosque in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, Report informs via Al Jazeera.
The blast took place at Khadijatul Kubra mosque, in southeastern Islamabad, during Friday prayers.
Rescue teams have reached the site of the explosion.
There was no immediate information on casualties.