Car Explodes Outside District Court in Islamabad

Car Explodes Outside District Court in Islamabad

A suicide car bombing outside Islamabad's district courts on Tuesday afternoon killed at least 12 people and wounded approximately 27 others, according to Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The attack occurred at 12:39 PM local time when a suicide bomber detonated explosives near the judicial complex, a sprawling compound typically thronged with hundreds of lawyers, litigants, and court staff attending hearings.

According to Interior Minister Naqvi, the attacker attempted to enter the court premises on foot but, failing to breach security, targeted a police vehicle instead. The bomber waited near the police vehicle for 10 to 15 minutes before detonating the device. Lawyer Rustam Malik, an eyewitness to the attack, told international media outlets that he observed four to five bodies lying on the ground following the massive explosion. "It was complete chaos," Malik said. "Lawyers and people were running inside the complex. I saw two dead bodies lying on the gate and several cars were on fire."

12 Killed in Islamabad Court Suicide Attack, Minister says Pak in State of War

Pakistani officials, including Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, characterized the attacks as part of a coordinated campaign of violence. Asif stated that Pakistan is in a "state of war" and called the attacks a "wake-up call" regarding negotiations with Afghanistan. Pakistan's government alleged that both attacks involved support from handlers in Afghanistan and backing from India—accusations that Kabul and New Delhi have consistently denied.

Deadly Terror Attack in Islamabad

Several vehicles parked nearby were damaged in the blast. Most of the injured are lawyers and staff working at the court. Police suspect it to be a suicide attack.

"We are in a state of war. Anyone who thinks the Pakistan army is fighting this only in the Afghan-Pakistan border region or Balochistan should take the suicide attack at Islamabad district courts as a wake-up call. This is a war for all of Pakistan, where the Army is making daily sacrifices to keep people secure," Asif tweeted.

The Afghan Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement expressing "deep sorrow and condemnation" regarding both the Islamabad court bombing and the Wana cadet college assault, though it did not address Pakistani allegations of complicity.

source: The Hindustan Times