In a grave attack on Tuesday, a suicide bomber detonated explosives outside the district court complex in Islamabad, killing 12 people and injuring around 27 others. Pakistan’s Interior Minister described the blast as part of a broader assault on the state, while senior government figures accused neighbouring India and Afghanistan of complicity in the attack.
Blast Strikes Near Court Premises in Pakistan’s Capital
At approximately 12:39 p.m., a suicide attacker detonated a bomb outside the district courts in a residential area of Islamabad, according to official sources. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a massive explosion followed by scenes of chaos and injured people strewn around the grounds. One court assistant said he had just parked his bike nearby moments before the blast and narrowly escaped the devastation.
Pakistan Alleges External Involvement
Pakistan’s interior minister stated that the attacker had attempted to enter the court building but, failing that, targeted a police vehicle. He accused “Indian-backed elements and Afghan Taliban proxies” of orchestrating the assault. Defence officials explicitly blamed the Afghan Taliban for providing sanctuary to militants and enabling the attack — alleging that the explosion represents a nationwide conflict rather than a localized incident.
Escalating Regional Tensions Amid Ongoing Talks
The bombing occurs just a day after militants attacked a military college in South Waziristan, and about a week after threats from the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and elements linked to the Afghan Taliban. Pakistan and Afghanistan had held high-level security discussions in recent weeks, but Islamabad says no meaningful agreement was reached. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s accusations reflect long-standing tensions with India and repeat concerns over Afghanistan’s ability to rein in militant groups operating across borders.
