Suicide blast in Pakistan’s capital leaves 12 dead, multiple injured

At least 12 people were killed and more than 27 injured in an explosion outside a court building in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, on Tuesday, the interior minister confirmed.

The blast occurred near the entrance of the Islamabad district court in G-11, an area usually packed with litigants and visitors. Local media aired graphic images from the scene, showing bloodied individuals lying near a police van as emergency teams rushed in.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters the attack was a suicide bombing that took place at 12:39pm. He said the Prime Minister had directed authorities to ensure immediate medical treatment for the injured.

According to Naqvi, the attacker had initially attempted to enter the courthouse. “When he could not gain entry, he attacked a police vehicle. Our first priority is to identify the suicide attacker,” he said. Those involved in the courthouse attack will be exposed, he added.

Naqvi said the incident appeared to be connected to multiple factors. “Today’s attack is linked to many different elements. We will present evidence soon,” he noted, adding that the timing suggested “multiple messages” behind the strike. He warned that anyone found responsible - “even if aided by another country” - would not be spared.

The minister also linked the bombing to heightened security threats across the region. He highlighted that a day earlier, in the northern district of Wana, a vehicle-borne suicide attacker detonated at an entry point. According to him, Afghanistan was implicated in that attack, with communication networks traced back there.

Naqvi said individuals who travelled to Afghanistan had been provided evidence showing how militants were being trained before carrying out attacks. He stressed that if extremist elements in Afghanistan were not restrained, Pakistan would be left with “no option but to deal with them.”

Announcing new security measures, Naqvi said that within two weeks no vehicle would be allowed to enter Islamabad without a designated tag. “We are aware of Afghanistan’s activities, but there will be no compromise on security,” he said, vowing that those behind the courthouse attack would face consequences.