ISLAMABAD — At least twelve people lost their lives in a suicide blast outside the district and sessions court building in Islamabad’s G-11 area on Monday, in what officials described as one of the deadliest attacks in the capital in recent years.
A senior Islamabad police official confirmed the death toll saying that rescue operations were underway and the injured had been shifted to nearby hospitals. Several vehicles caught fire in the aftermath of the explosion, which left the area in chaos.
Videos circulating on social media showed flames and thick plumes of smoke billowing into the air from the wreckage of a vehicle near a security checkpoint. Witnesses described scenes of panic as people fled for cover amid the sound of sirens and gunfire.
Lawyer Rustam Malik, who was at the court complex when the explosion occurred, recounted the terrifying moments. “As I parked my car and entered the complex, I heard a loud bang near the gate,” he told AFP. “It was complete chaos lawyers and people were running for their lives. I saw two dead bodies at the gate, and several cars were on fire.”
President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the incident, calling it a “suicide blast” and extending condolences to the families of the victims. He also prayed for the swift recovery of the injured and lauded the efforts of law enforcement personnel who responded to the attack.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif termed the bombing a “wake-up call,” warning that Pakistan remains in the midst of a prolonged internal conflict. “We are in a state of war. Anyone who thinks this fight is confined to the border regions or remote areas of Balochistan must reconsider after today’s tragedy,” he said.
He further cautioned that in the current regional climate, expecting fruitful negotiations with the Afghan Taliban-led government in Kabul would be unrealistic.
Authorities have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into the attack, as security has been placed on high alert across the capital.
