Suicide Attack at Islamabad Court Leaves 12 Dead, 27 Wounded

ISLAMABAD (AP) — A suicide bomber detonated explosives outside a district court in Pakistan’s capital Tuesday morning, killing at least 12 people and wounding 27 in one of the deadliest attacks in Islamabad in recent years, authorities said.

The bomber approached a police vehicle parked near the courthouse gate around 9:15 a.m., Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters at the scene. The explosion shattered windows in nearby buildings and left a two-metre crater at the blast site.

‘State of War’ Declaration

“Pakistan is in a state of war,” Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said at a news conference, accusing Afghanistan’s Taliban government of sheltering militants responsible for the attack. “This was a message from Kabul, and we will respond accordingly.”

The attack in Pakistan’s capital marks a significant escalation in violence that has plagued the country for months. No group immediately claimed responsibility, though officials said they were investigating possible links to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, commonly known as the Pakistani Taliban or TTP.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared three days of national mourning and ordered security forces to “take all necessary measures” to prevent future attacks. In a televised address from his official residence, he suggested without providing evidence that “foreign elements” were involved – language typically used to implicate India.

India’s External Affairs Ministry dismissed the allegations. “This appears to be a transparent attempt to deflect from Pakistan’s own failures in containing extremism,” spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said in a written statement.

The Victims

The dead included seven police officers and five civilians, according to hospital officials. Nine people remained in critical condition Tuesday evening at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Islamabad’s main trauma centre.

Among the victims was Inspector Raza Ahmed, 34, a police officer with two young children who was weeks away from a promotion. Also killed was Fatima Malik, 28, a lawyer who had just won her first major case.

Hospital	Total Patients	Critical Condition	Stable	Discharged
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences	15	6	8	1
Poly Clinic Hospital	8	2	5	1
CDA Hospital	4	1	3	0
TOTAL	27	9	16	2

“We activated all twelve operating theatres,” said Dr. Khalid Masood, the hospital’s director. “This is the worst we’ve seen since the 2014 Peshawar school attack. We’re dealing with severe blast injuries and shrapnel wounds.”

Security Breakdown

Emergency services established a two-kilometre security perimeter around the blast site within an hour of the explosion. More than 5,000 security personnel were deployed across Islamabad in what officials called “maximum alert” status, with checkpoints established on every major road entering the capital.

But questions immediately arose about why security wasn’t enhanced before the attack. Intelligence sources, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss classified information, revealed that the National Counter Terrorism Authority had issued a “red alert” for judicial complexes just three days earlier.

“We had specific intelligence of a potential threat to courthouses,” said a senior intelligence official. “This represents a significant security failure that demands accountability.”

The Islamabad Capital Territory Administration announced it would conduct a full review of security protocols at all government buildings. Additional police units were assigned to guard courts, with metal detectors and bag searches to be implemented immediately.

The Afghanistan Connection

Pakistani officials have long accused Afghanistan’s Taliban government of providing sanctuary to fighters from Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, an allegation Kabul denies. The TTP, which shares ideological ties with Afghanistan’s Taliban but operates independently, has carried out numerous attacks in Pakistan over the past two decades.

“Afghanistan must stop allowing its territory to be used for terrorism against Pakistan,” Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said in a statement. “If they won’t act, we will have no choice but to defend ourselves.”

The TTP claimed responsibility for a similar attack on a military checkpoint near Peshawar last month that killed 15 soldiers. The group has intensified operations since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in August 2021, with attacks increasing by 60% compared to the previous year.

Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have deteriorated sharply in recent months. Pakistan has conducted limited drone strikes in Afghan territory, drawing protests from the Taliban government. Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of harboring its own militants who attack Afghan targets.

Dr. Ayesha Siddiqa, a defense analyst based in Islamabad, said the attack reflects Pakistan’s complicated relationship with militant groups. “For years, Pakistan distinguished between ‘good’ Taliban who served its interests and ‘bad’ Taliban who attacked Pakistan,” she said. “That policy has completely backfired.”

Regional Tensions Rising

The attack comes amid escalating tensions across South Asia. India and Pakistan have exchanged fire across the Line of Control in disputed Kashmir 47 times in the past month – the highest frequency since 2021. Afghanistan faces its own instability, with the Taliban government struggling to contain rival militant groups.

Professor Michael Kugelman of the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington said the bombing could push Pakistan toward military action in Afghanistan. “This attack will almost certainly harden Pakistan’s stance,” Kugelman said. “Cross-border strikes are looking more likely, which could destabilize the entire region.”

Economic Impact

The Pakistani rupee fell 2.3% against the dollar within hours of the attack. The Karachi Stock Exchange dropped 480 points, erasing billions in market value. International credit rating agencies placed Pakistan on “negative watch,” potentially making it more expensive for the country to borrow money.

“Every major terrorist attack sets Pakistan’s economy back months,” said Dr. Hafeez Pasha, a former finance minister. “Foreign investment dries up, tourism stops, and resources get diverted from development to security.”

Pakistan’s economy was already struggling with 28% inflation and near-default on foreign debt. The country recently secured a $3 billion bailout from the International Monetary Fund, but economists warn that continued instability could jeopardize future assistance.

International Response

The United Nations Security Council condemned the attack “in the strongest terms.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it “an act of barbarism” and offered counter-terrorism assistance, while also urging Pakistan to “address root causes of extremism.”

The United Kingdom, European Union and China issued similar condemnations. Notably, China’s response came several hours after other nations and was briefer than usual – a possible sign of Beijing’s frustration with Pakistan’s inability to protect Chinese nationals working on Belt and Road Initiative projects.

Investigation Continues

Police cordoned off the blast site and began collecting forensic evidence. Investigators recovered body parts of the bomber, which will be used for DNA analysis and possible identification. Security camera footage from nearby buildings was being reviewed.

The National Counter Terrorism Authority has launched a parallel investigation into how the bomber evaded security. Officials said they were reviewing whether the red alert issued three days earlier was properly implemented.

Former Prime Minister Imran Khan, currently imprisoned on corruption charges, released a statement through his lawyers calling for peace talks with the TTP. The suggestion drew immediate criticism from victims’ families and security officials.

“You don’t negotiate with people who blow up innocent civilians,” said Muhammad Ahmed, whose brother was killed in the blast. “These are terrorists, not political opponents.”

What’s Next

As Islamabad began three days of national mourning, military sources suggested that cross-border operations into Afghanistan were being considered. The Pakistan Air Force reportedly moved additional fighter jets to bases near the Afghan border, and special forces units were placed on high alert.

However, attacking Afghanistan carries significant risks. It could trigger a wider regional conflict, further destabilize an already volatile border region, and might not achieve its objective of eliminating TTP sanctuaries.

“Pakistan faces a difficult choice,” said Kugelman. “Do nothing and appear weak, or strike Afghanistan and risk wider conflict. Either option carries substantial dangers.”

The uncomfortable reality for Pakistani authorities is that despite billions spent on counter-terrorism and thousands of militants killed or captured, the threat persists. Tuesday’s attack demonstrated that determined terrorists can still strike at the heart of the capital.

For the families of victims like Inspector Ahmed and lawyer Malik, the political debates and military options offer little comfort. They want answers about why security failed and accountability for those responsible.