URGENT UPDATE: Four suspects, including an alleged mastermind, have been arrested in connection with the brutal mosque bombing in Islamabad that left 31 dead and 169 injured during Friday prayers. This tragic incident, which occurred on February 7, 2023, marks one of the deadliest attacks in Pakistan’s capital in over a decade and has sparked outrage across the nation.
Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that among the arrested is an Afghan national believed to be the key planner behind the attack. The arrests took place after counterterrorism raids, during which one officer was tragically killed and three others were wounded.
The bombing occurred at a Shiite mosque in the Tarlai area, where worshippers gathered for prayers. A suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vest, targeting a crowded space, according to reports from The New York Times. In a shocking twist, authorities later revealed that the suicide bomber was not originally from Afghanistan but had made multiple trips to the country.
The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for this devastating attack, raising serious security concerns. In the aftermath, large crowds of mourners gathered in Islamabad, preparing for funerals of the victims.
Minister Naqvi has controversially suggested that funding for the attackers may have originated from India, a claim that India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has categorically dismissed as “baseless.” Meanwhile, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif hinted that the Afghan government could have played a role in facilitating the attack, a statement Afghan officials have refuted, calling it “regrettable” and lacking “credible evidence.”
This attack follows a series of violent incidents in Pakistan, including a recent bombing in Balochistan that resulted in 58 deaths. The Balochistan Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for those attacks, leading to a significant military response where an estimated 200 BLA militants were killed in retaliatory raids.
Authorities are urging citizens to remain vigilant as investigations continue. The nation is grappling with the emotional aftermath of this tragedy, and the discussions around security and accountability are intensifying.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops. The impact of this incident is felt deeply across communities, and officials are under pressure to ensure the safety of citizens in light of these alarming events.
