Condemnations poured in after a suicide bomber targeted Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra in Islamabad’s Tarlai area, leaving at least 32 worshippers dead and dozens wounded during Friday prayer.
Very sad video from the Suicide Bombing on Shia community in Islamabad, Pakistan. Why would Pakistan Army want to target their own Shia citizens on one hand, Baloch on other hand and then Kashmiris in both PoJK and India’s J&K? pic.twitter.com/TXr7QJlqzE
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) February 6, 2026
Following the tragic incident, rescue teams rushed to the site and shifted the bodies and the injured to the hospitals. Law enforcement agencies — including Pakistan Army troops and Rangers — cordoned off the area and launched an investigation into the incident.
Read more: Maryam Nawaz Cancels Basant Events After Deadly Islamabad Imambargah Blast
Eyewitnesses say the attacker opened fire at the entrance before detonating explosives after guards tried to stop him at the main gate.
Officials fear the death toll may rise as emergency services remain on high alert across the capital, while all major hospitals have declared an emergency. Authorities have mobilised doctors, nurses and paramedics to ensure immediate treatment for the injured.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the suicide attack. However, police sources said the attack was carried out by terrorists linked to the “Fitna al-Khawarij.”
I am grateful for the strong messages of sympathy and support that we have received from across the globe, in the wake of today’s heart wrenching suicide attack in Islamabad. The support of our friends and partners has always remained critical in Pakistan’s counterterrorism…
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) February 6, 2026
In another important development, Peshawar law enforcement agencies raided the house of the Islamabad bombing suspect, police sources said.
During the action, two brothers of the suspected attacker and a woman were taken into custody, according to the sources.
Read more: Witnesses describe blast rocking Islamabad imambargah
Investigators said they recovered the suspected bomber’s identity card at the blast site, which showed his name as Yasir, 32, a resident of Peshawar, according to the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA).
They added that the attacker had been living in Afghanistan for the past five months, where he received training in the use of weapons and suicide bombing.
A search is underway in Peshawar and Nowshera to trace the bomber’s network and facilitators, while investigations into different aspects of the attack are continuing, police officials said.
Islamabad attacker had ties to Afghanistan
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif sees footprints of India and Afghanistan behind the recent terrorist attack in the federal capital.
“After suffering a humiliating defeat [last year in May], India is [now] waging war through proxies as it no longer dares to fight directly,” he added. The minister vowed that the state would respond to this brutality with full force.
Addressing a press conference, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said that the suicide bomber has been identified.
“The suicide bomber was not an Afghan national but had visited Afghanistan multiple times,” he added.
The minister said the terrorists were targeting soft targets, adding that IG Islamabad’s cousin was among those martyred in the suicide blast.
Condemnations pour in
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep grief and sorrow over the blast, offering condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and praying for patience for the bereaved.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack, voicing profound anguish over the martyrdoms and extending sympathies to the affected families.
Following the tragic incident, PM Shehbaz Sharif ordered the immediate identification and arrest of those responsible.
Acts of terror unacceptable: US
The United States has strongly condemned the terrorist attack that left innocent worshippers dead and injured, saying all acts of terror and violence are unacceptable, the US Embassy in Islamabad said in a statement.
US Charge d’Affaires Natalie A Baker expressed sincere condolences to those wounded and to the families of those killed in the bombing.
The embassy stated that violence against civilians and places of worship cannot be justified.
It reiterated that the US continues to support Pakistan’s efforts to advance peace and security and remains committed to the bilateral partnership aimed at promoting stability. The embassy added that Washington stands with Islamabad during this challenging moment.
‘Outraged and heartbroken’
UK High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott said she is “outraged and heartbroken” by the horrific attack at the imambargah in Islamabad during Friday prayer. She extends her thoughts and prayers to those killed and injured and to their families.
The British envoy termed such violence abhorrent and expressed solidarity with the people of Pakistan in the wake of the tragedy.
China stands firmly with Pakistan: embassy
The Chinese Embassy in Pakistan expressed deep sorrow over the deaths and injuries caused by the explosion at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra.
It extended heartfelt condolences to the victims and conveyed sincere sympathies to their families, wishing the injured a speedy recovery.
The embassy emphasised China’s solidarity with Pakistan, stating that it stands firmly with its Pakistani brothers and sisters during this difficult time.
Islamabad attack ‘hideous act’: Iran envoy
Iranian Ambassador to Pakistan Reza Amiri Moghadam strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Islamabad, describing it as a hideous act that led to the martyrdom and injury of dozens of innocent civilians.
He conveyed the condemnation on behalf of the government and people of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Standing with Pakistan in fight against terrorism: Turkiye
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkiye said it condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist attack carried out at a mosque during the Friday prayers in Islamabad.
Ankara extended condolences to the families of those killed and to the people of Pakistan. It expressed solidarity with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism.
EU envoy expresses deep shock
European Union’s Ambassador to Pakistan Raimundas Karoblis expressed deep shock over the suicide attack in Islamabad, describing it as a heinous act. He said that the EU strongly condemns all acts of terrorism and violent extremism.
Karoblis extended condolences to the families of the victims and the injured, emphasising solidarity with the people of Pakistan.
Afghanistan condemns Islamabad bombing
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan also strongly condemned the suicide bombing in at the mosque in Islamabad during Friday prayers, which resulted in the death and injury of numerous worshippers.
Abdul Qahar Balkhi, a spokesperson of Afghanistan’s foreign ministry, said that Kabul condemned such attacks that violate the sanctity of sacred rituals and mosques and target worshippers and innocent people.
UN secretary-general expresses solidarity with Pakistan
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, in a statement, condemned the attack in the strongest of words.
He reiterated that attacks against civilians and places of worship were unacceptable, stressing that those responsible must be identified and brought to justice.
Reaffirming the UN’s solidarity with Pakistan in its efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism, Guterres extended his condolences to the families of the victims and wished a full and speedy recovery to those injured.
