Pakistani Taliban Claims Responsibility for Deadly Islamabad Suicide Bombing, Threatens Further Attacks

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described the suicide bombing as a critical "wake-up call" for the nation.

The Pakistani Taliban (TTP) has officially claimed responsibility for Tuesday's suicide bombing in Islamabad that resulted in at least 12 fatalities. In their statement, the group declared, "Our fighter attacked the judicial commission in Islamabad. Judges, lawyers and officials who carried out rulings under Pakistan's un-Islamic laws were targeted." The TTP further warned of additional attacks until Islamic law is fully implemented across the country.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that the casualties occurred when the attacker detonated explosives in close proximity to a police vehicle.

Mohammed Shahzad Butt, a lawyer who witnessed the attack, told AFP, "Everyone started running inside out of panic. I have seen at least five dead bodies lying at the front gate."

Another legal professional, Rustam Malik, described hearing a "loud bang" at the entrance as he was arriving at the complex. "It was complete chaos, lawyers and people were running inside the complex. I saw two dead bodies lying on the gate and several cars were on fire," he recounted.

This attack follows a car explosion in Delhi on Monday that killed 9 people and left 20 injured.

Pakistan's last suicide bombing occurred in December 2022. The country is now experiencing a resurgence in violent incidents, with officials attributing these attacks to armed groups allegedly finding sanctuary in Afghanistan.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif emphasized that this suicide attack must be interpreted as a serious "wake-up call" for the nation.

"In this environment, it would be futile to hold out greater hope for successful negotiations with the rulers of Kabul," Asif wrote.

In October, Pakistan and Afghanistan engaged in significant military confrontation triggered by recent attacks. According to United Nations reports, more than 70 people lost their lives on both sides of the conflict, including 50 Afghan civilians.