Thousands of mourners gathered in Islamabad Pakistan Saturday to honour the victims of a devastating suicide bombing that tore through a Shiite mosque during crowded Friday prayers killing 31 people and injuring more than 170 others.
The attack occurred at the Khadija Tul Kubra Imambargah on the outskirts of the capital. Officials say the assailant opened fire at the entrance before detonating his explosives among worshippers killing himself in the blast.
The extremist group Islamic State claimed responsibility for the bombing announcing it on its Telegram channel. Funeral prayers for the victims were held under heavy security with elite forces and police guarding mourning crowds and ensuring order as families expressed deep grief and outrage over the attack.
This marks the deadliest attack in Islamabad in years and follows a recent pattern of escalating militant violence in parts of Pakistan. Defence officials have reportedly launched investigations to track down those responsible as the government vows to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The attack has also fueled wider concerns about sectarian violence in the country particularly against the Shiite minority who have been targeted in past bombings and extremist attacks. Political leaders and religious figures have condemned the violence calling for unity and stronger measures to protect civilians and places of worship.
As Islamabad mourns questions remain over how the attackers slipped through security and what steps will be taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future amid Pakistan’s ongoing fight against domestic militancy.
