The attack took place at the Khadija al-Kubra mosque while it was packed with worshippers. Police and security officials said several of the injured were in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll could rise further.
Hussain Shah, a survivor, told The Guardian that he was praying in the mosque’s courtyard when he heard a sudden blast. “I immediately realised that a major attack had taken place,” he said.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing. However, suspicion has fallen on militant organisations such as the Pakistani Taliban or Islamic State, both of which have previously carried out attacks against Pakistan’s Shia minority.
Although large-scale attacks are rare in Islamabad, Pakistan has seen a surge in militant violence in recent months. Authorities attribute the increase mainly to Baloch separatist groups and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group distinct from but allied to the Afghan Taliban, which has frequently targeted security forces and civilians.
Pakistan’s president, Asif Ali Zardari, and prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, condemned the attack in separate statements, offering condolences to the families of the victims and ordering that all possible medical assistance be provided to the wounded.
