Islamabad Court Attack Kills 12

Tragic Loss of Life

A devastating explosion struck a judicial complex in Islamabad, Pakistan, claiming the lives of 12 people and injuring 27 others. Local media sources report that the incident was a suicide attack, leaving the city in shock.

Details of the Attack

Pakistan’s Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, provided details to reporters, explaining that the suicide bomber attempted to enter the court building on foot. Unable to proceed, the attacker detonated the device outside, near a police vehicle, after waiting for 10 to 15 minutes. The explosion occurred at 12:39 pm local time.

Impact on Civilians and Infrastructure

Video footage from the scene shows individuals in black coats and white shirts, likely lawyers, sitting on the ground in visible shock, with bloodstains marking their clothing. Officials confirmed that a car bomb caused the blast, which was heard kilometers away and damaged several vehicles outside the courthouse. The attack struck during a busy period when hundreds of visitors typically attend court hearings.

No Immediate Claim of Responsibility

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. Pakistan has faced ongoing militant threats, including a resurgence of the Pakistani Taliban, posing significant security challenges across the country.

Recent Security Incidents

This attack comes on the heels of another security operation. Earlier this week, Pakistani forces reportedly thwarted a militant attempt to take cadets hostage at an army-run college. A suicide car bomber, along with five Pakistani Taliban militants, targeted the facility in a northwestern province, but the security forces successfully prevented the hostage situation.

Rising Regional Tensions

The attack occurs amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Kabul recently accused Islamabad of drone strikes on October 9 that killed civilians and militants in the Afghan capital. The cross-border clashes that followed resulted in multiple casualties before a Qatar-mediated ceasefire was established on October 19, which remains in effect.

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Sorit Chaudhary

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