The Islamic State (IS) militant group has claimed responsibility for a deadly explosion that ripped through a Shia mosque in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, during Friday prayers, killing at least 31 worshippers and injuring 169 others, according to local authorities.
🇵🇰| ISIS officially claims responsibility for the terrorist attack on the Shia Masjid in Tarlai, Islamabad.
The Takfiri terrorist group that has killed millions of innocents all over the world has now started killing Shias in Pakistan again
Pakistan needs to finish them NOW! pic.twitter.com/KaygCRLZ5Y
— Haider Ali 🇵🇰🇵🇸 (@muntazireimam84) February 6, 2026
The blast took place in the afternoon at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra in the Tarlai area, a densely populated suburb on the outskirts of Islamabad. Police believe the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber and have launched a detailed investigation to identify facilitators and assess possible security lapses.
Read more: Condemnations Pour In After Suicide Attack on Islamabad Imambargah Kills 32
In a statement issued on Saturday, Islamic State said one of its fighters was stopped by security guards while attempting to enter the mosque. The militant group claimed the attacker then detonated his explosive vest at a location where worshippers had gathered for prayers, causing heavy casualties.
🚨 ISKP a branch of ISIS claimed responsibility for suicide blast at Islamabad Imam Bargah mosque, martyring many innocent worshippers.
The attacker was trained in Afghanistan ISIS camps, Taliban hosts several ISIS terrorist camps and bases.
B*mb the hell out of Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/PYOraSZuaQ
— Zard si Gana (@ZardSi) February 6, 2026
Eyewitnesses told local media that gunfire was heard moments before the explosion, suggesting the attacker may have tried to force his way inside. Rescue teams rushed to the scene shortly after the blast, shifting the injured to nearby hospitals, several of whom remain in critical condition. Law enforcement agencies, including police, Pakistan Army troops, and Rangers, cordoned off the area and began a search operation.
Read more: Maryam Nawaz Cancels Basant Events After Deadly Islamabad Imambargah Blast
The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from political leaders, religious scholars, and civil society groups, who described it as an assault on religious freedom and national unity. Authorities have urged calm while vowing to bring those responsible to justice.
Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant violence in recent years, particularly in areas bordering Afghanistan, where attacks have increasingly targeted security forces and state institutions. However, major attacks in Islamabad remain rare due to strict security arrangements.
The latest incident has revived memories of a November 2025 suicide bombing near a court in the capital that killed 12 people despite heightened security measures. Analysts warn that the renewed presence of extremist groups such as Islamic State poses a serious challenge to Pakistan’s internal security and counterterrorism efforts.
