The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing that occurred on Tuesday near a court in the capital, Islamabad, and resulted in the killing of at least 12 people and the injury of others, some of whom were in critical condition, according to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Details of the attack
The explosion occurred outside the court buildings located in a residential area of the capital. Lawyer Rustom Malik said: “When I parked my car and entered the complex, I heard an explosion at the gate.” Another witness reported that “a state of chaos prevailed in the place, as lawyers and people rushed inside, while cars were burning and bodies were lying in front of the gate.”
The suicide bomber tried to enter the court
The Interior Minister said that the attacker tried to enter the court on foot, but failed, so he blew himself up near a police vehicle after waiting about 10 to 15 minutes. Naqvi added: “We are investigating the incident from different angles, as this is not an ordinary bombing. It occurred in the heart of the capital.”
The site of the attack in the center of the capital
The explosion occurred near the entrance to the District Court, which is usually crowded with auditors. Pictures and videos published locally showed bodies and wounded people covered in blood next to a burning police vehicle.
Another attack attempt in the northwest
In a separate incident, security forces thwarted an attempt by the Pakistani Taliban to kidnap students at a military college in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, when a suicide bomber and five gunmen attempted to attack the facility. Police Chief Alamgir Mehsud explained that the forces killed two of the attackers immediately, while the other three were trapped inside an administrative building, assuring the safety of the students and workers.
Material and human losses
The bombing caused significant damage to nearby homes, and 16 civilians and a number of soldiers were injured in the explosion and exchange of fire. The Pakistani army stated that the attack was carried out by elements of the “Kharijites,” which is the term used to refer to the banned Pakistani Taliban movement.
Background and escalation
These events come after a series of attacks attributed to the Pakistani Taliban in recent months, amid escalating security tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, and threats of a military response against armed groups active near the Afghan border.
