ISLAMABAD: A suicide bombing outside a mosque on the outskirts of Pakistan’s capital martyred at least 31 people and injured more than 100 during Friday prayers, according to the Islamabad city administration, in the deadliest attack in the capital in more than a decade.

City officials said the attacker attempted to enter the Imambargah Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra mosque in the Tarlai area but was stopped at the main gate, where the explosion occurred. The blast struck as worshippers gathered for Friday prayers, when mosques across the country are typically filled.

“According to the Islamabad administration, the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber who was stopped at the mosque’s gate,” officials said, adding that at least 31 people were killed and 101 others injured.

State Minister for Interior Tallal Chaudry said the attacker had been identified and claimed the blast was sponsored by “Indian- and Afghanistan-based terrorist groups.” He told reporters that the bomber had a travel history to Afghanistan prior to the attack.

“These terrorists operate in two shapes: those who grow beards and misuse religion, and others like the BLA who weaponize ethnicity. Both are funded in dollars, not ideology,” Chaudry said.

Rejecting any religious justification for the attack, Chaudhry added: “How can anyone use the name of religion to kill people standing before Allah? No Muslim can do this.”

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the site and later prayed at the mosque in solidarity with the victims. Police and law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area, launching search and investigation operations as hospitals across the capital were placed on high alert.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, calling for swift justice.

“The perpetrators of the blast must be identified and brought to justice,” the prime minister said in a statement.

He expressed “deep sorrow and grief” over those martyred, conveyed condolences to the bereaved families, and directed Naqvi to conduct a full investigation immediately.

Sharif also instructed that the injured receive the best possible medical treatment, asking the health minister to personally oversee their care.

President Asif Ali Zardari described the bombing as “a crime against humanity,” saying the nation stood “shoulder to shoulder with the affected families in this hour of grief.”

Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar also condemned the attack, calling it “a heinous crime against humanity and a blatant violation of Islamic principles.”

In a post on X, he said, “Pakistan stands united against terrorism in all its forms.”

The explosion marked the deadliest attack in Islamabad since September 2008, when a suicide truck bombing at the Marriott Hotel killed 60 people. Yellow crime scene tape surrounded the blast site on Friday, with shoes, torn clothing and shattered glass scattered across the ground.

The attack comes amid intensifying security challenges in Pakistan’s northern and southern regions. Islamabad has said militant groups in Balochistan, as well as the Pakistani Taliban and other armed groups in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, have used Afghan territory as safe havens to launch attacks.

International condemnation

The attack drew swift condemnation from around the world. The United States denounced the bombing, calling violence against civilians and places of worship “unacceptable.”

“On behalf of the United States, I offer our sincere condolences to those injured and to the families and loved ones of those killed by this attack,” US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker said, adding that Washington continues to support Pakistan’s efforts to advance peace and security.

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio ‌Guterres “condemns ‌in ‌the ⁠strongest terms” Friday’s ‌attack, ‍a UN spokesperson said in a statement.

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said she was “outraged and heartbroken,” adding, “Such violence is abhorrent. We stand with Pakistan.”

The United Arab Emirates said it “strongly denounces these criminal acts” and reiterated its rejection of “all forms of violence, extremism and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability.”

Saudi Arabia likewise condemned the bombing, stressing its “firm rejection of targeting places of worship” and affirming solidarity with Pakistan.

Condemnations and messages of support were also issued by France, the European Union, Russia, China, Türkiye, Iran, Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Czechia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Romania.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, in letters addressed to President Zardari and PM Sharif, said the killing of worshippers during a religious ceremony was “yet another testament to the barbaric and inhumane nature of terrorism,” and reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with Pakistan against terrorism.

Responding to the outpouring of international support, PM Sharif said: “I am grateful for the strong messages of sympathy and support that we have received from across the globe. The perpetrators of this heinous crime will be brought to justice with full force, and their nefarious designs will never be allowed to succeed.”

“The brave Pakistani nation stands united at this time,” he added, “and we remain fully committed to our resolve to defeat terrorism, as we always have.”

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Suicide blast outside Islamabad mosque leaves 31 martyred, sparks global condemnation