At least 12 people were killed and over 27 injured, mostly lawyers and support staff, in a powerful explosion outside district court in Islamabad’s G-11 area around 12:30 PM on Tuesday, 11 November. As officials probe the attack, no group has claimed responsibility.
The explosion occurred near the entrance of the court, which is typically crowded with a large number of litigants. Several vehicles parked nearby were also damaged. The sound of explosion could be heard far away and flames and plumes of smoke from charred vehicle were seen rising into the air.
Pakistani officials say it was a suicide attack. President Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned the suicide blast and expressed deep condolences to the bereaved families.
The blast happened hours after Pakistani security forces foiled an attack by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) at Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan, as per Pakistani media reports. Two TTP extremists were killed in the operation. TTP has denied involvement in the college attack. The incident brought back memories of the Taliban attack at an army-run school in Peshawar in 2014, which left 154 dead.
Pakistan has been grappling with the threat posed by Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as Pakistani Taliban. Support to TTP been a key factor behind the deteriorating ties between Islamabad and Kabul.
The blast in Islamabad comes a day after a car explosion near Red Fort in Delhi killed 10 people and injured 25.
MitKat will continue to monitor the evolving situation.
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫: The article has reference to open sources including Al Jazeera, The Dawn and Times of India.
𝐈𝐦𝐚𝐠𝐞: Money Control