A suicide bombing ripped through a Shia place of worship in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, on Friday, killing dozens and injuring more than 100 others, authorities said, in one of the deadliest attacks in the city in recent months.

The explosion struck Imam Bargah Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra in the Tarlai area just as worshippers had begun Friday prayers, triggering scenes of panic and chaos inside and around the mosque.

Initial reports indicate the attacker attempted to enter the premises during congregational prayers but was intercepted by security personnel at the entrance. Officials said the assailant opened fire before detonating explosives at the main gate, causing mass casualties.

A senior security official told The Khorasan Diary that at least 31 people were killed and 101 sustained injuries, warning that the death toll could rise as several of the wounded remain in critical condition.

Hospitals across Islamabad were placed under emergency protocols to manage the influx of casualties. Authorities enforced an emergency at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Polyclinic Hospital and CDA Hospital, while assistant commissioners were deployed at medical facilities to oversee treatment and coordinate response efforts.

Law enforcement agencies sealed off the blast site as investigations began. Visuals from the scene showed scattered debris, damaged infrastructure and the remains of the attacker outside the mosque, underscoring the scale of the devastation.

In a statement, security sources claimed the identity of the suicide bomber had been confirmed, and verified information suggested the attacker had received training in Afghanistan. The sources alleged the bomber had travelled to Afghanistan multiple times and had returned recently.

The statement further claimed that militant groups operating from Afghan soil, under the patronage of the Taliban regime, posed a serious threat to regional security. The sources also alleged that terrorist incidents in Pakistan have a nexus involving Afghanistan and India.

The bombing prompted heightened security measures in neighbouring Rawalpindi, where police were placed on high alert. Officials said security duties were being reviewed at imambargahs, mosques and other sensitive locations, with police holding meetings with administrators of religious sites to reinforce standard operating procedures.

No group has claimed responsibility so far, and the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has denied responsibility for the attack. However, the sectarian nature and modus operandi of the attack resemble past assaults attributed to Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), though officials have not confirmed the perpetrators. 

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the provincial government dispatched 25 ambulances to Islamabad and placed hospitals across Rawalpindi district on high alert. She said surgical teams and specialist doctors were on standby, blood banks were fully staffed, and operating theatres were equipped to provide urgent care. She also directed local officials to extend all possible assistance.

The attack drew strong condemnation from Pakistan’s leadership. President Asif Ali Zardari expressed grief over the loss of life, calling the targeting of civilians “a crime against humanity,” and directed authorities to ensure the injured receive all necessary medical treatment.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack and, in a meeting with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, ordered an immediate investigation to identify those responsible. He said the government would not allow anyone to spread chaos and unrest in the country, and instructed the health minister to monitor the situation closely.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar described the incident as a “cowardly suicide attack” and said targeting places of worship was a heinous violation of Islamic principles. He added that Pakistan remained united against terrorism and extremists would be brought to account.

International condemnation also followed. Iran strongly denounced the bombing, with Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam expressing condolences to the government and people of Pakistan and sympathy for bereaved families.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan has strongly condemned a deadly explosion at a mosque in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, which occurred during Friday prayers and resulted in casualties among worshippers.

In a statement, the ministry’s spokesperson, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, said such attacks that violate the sanitity of mosques and religious rituals, and deliberately target worshippers and civilians, are in clear violation of Islamic teachings and fundamental human values.

He extended condolences to the families of the victims and wished a swift recovery to those injured in the attack.

The attack comes as Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev is visiting Pakistan, and less than three months after another suicide bombing in Islamabad’s G-11 area killed 12 people outside a district court building. 

This is a developing story and will be updated accordingly.