Suicide blast at Islamabad mosque kills at least 31, wounds 169

A suicide blast at a Shiite mosque in Islamabad killed at least 31 people earlier today, with 169 more wounded in the deadliest attack in Pakistan’s capital since the 2008 Marriott hotel bombing.

City officials say 31 people died in the blast at the Imam Bargah Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra mosque in the Tarlai area on the city’s outskirts, with scores more being treated for injuries. The death toll is expected to rise further.

The explosion occurred at Friday prayers, when mosques around the country are packed with worshippers.

“The attacker was stopped at the gate and detonated himself,” a security source tells AFP.

Muhammad Kazim, a 52-year-old worshipper, says an “extremely powerful” explosion ripped through the building as prayers were just starting. “During the first bow of the Namaz (prayer ritual), we heard gunfire.”

“And while we were still in the bowing position, an explosion occurred,” he says.

Another worshipper, Imran Mahmood, tells AFP there was a gunfight between the bomber, a possible accomplice and volunteer security personnel at the mosque.

“The suicide attacker was trying to move forward, but one of our injured volunteers fired at him from behind, hitting him in the thigh,” he tells AFP.

No group immediately claimed responsibility, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif says those behind the blast would be found and brought to justice.

South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman says on X that the target suggested it was either the local affiliate of the Islamic State group or anti-Shiite militants.