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Islamabad, Pakistan – Thousands of mourners, including federal ministers and community leaders, gathered on Saturday for mass funeral prayers and burials of the victims killed in a suicide bombing at a Shia Muslim place of worship in the Pakistani capital the previous day.
The attack targeted Imambargah Khadijah-tul-Kubra (also known as Khadija Tul Kubra Imambargah or Imam Bargah Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra), located in the Tarlai Kalan area on the southeastern outskirts of Islamabad—often referred to in some reports as Shehzad Town or nearby districts. The explosion occurred during Friday prayers (Jummah congregation) around 1:30 p.m. local time on February 6, 2026, when a suicide bomber detonated his explosives after being challenged by security personnel at the entrance.
According to Islamabad's Deputy Commissioner Irfan Memon and other officials, the blast killed at least 31 people—including worshippers of various ages—and injured 169 others. The toll includes the perpetrator, who opened fire on guards before detonating his vest, as confirmed by multiple sources including police and hospital records. Many of the wounded were rushed to nearby hospitals in critical condition, with fears the death toll could rise.
The Islamic State (IS) group, through its affiliate known as Islamic State in Pakistan (or ISKP), claimed responsibility for the attack in statements posted on Telegram channels. The claim described the assailant firing on security before reaching an inner gate and detonating. This marks one of the deadliest attacks in Islamabad in over a decade, surpassing the November 2025 suicide bombing outside a courthouse that killed 12 and injured 27, and ranking as the most severe since the 2008 Marriott Hotel bombing that claimed 63 lives.
The Friday incident is the second major terrorist attack in Islamabad in less than three months, highlighting growing concerns over the resurgence of militant violence in urban centers, even as Pakistan intensifies security measures. Officials have linked the uptick to cross-border influences and internal militant networks, though the capital remains heavily guarded compared to border regions.
In a swift response, Pakistani security forces arrested four key facilitators believed to have assisted the suicide bomber. A security official, speaking anonymously to Anadolu Agency, confirmed the arrests occurred Friday night in Nowshera and Peshawar districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. During one operation in Nowshera, militants opened fire on security personnel, killing one police sub-inspector and injuring five other officers and intelligence officials.
State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry announced late Friday that intelligence agencies had identified the bomber and were pursuing accomplices. He stated that a comprehensive investigation was underway, with a final report to be submitted to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif within 72 hours.
Funeral proceedings on Saturday took place under tight security, with police and elite commandos deployed around the Imambargah and other sites. Mourners offered prayers in an open area near the mosque, beating their chests in grief before carrying coffins for burial. The emotional scenes included tearful families and community members expressing outrage and sorrow over the loss of life during a sacred time of worship.
The attack has drawn widespread international condemnation. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim posted on X (formerly Twitter): "Malaysia stands with the people of Pakistan in this hour of grief. We extend our condolences to the families of the victims and express our solidarity with all those affected by this attack."
Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon sent messages of condolence to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, strongly condemning the violence and calling for sustained global efforts to combat terrorism.
Other world leaders and organizations, including the United Nations Secretary-General, have also denounced the bombing as an abhorrent act targeting civilians at prayer.
Pakistan's government has vowed to pursue those responsible and bolster security in vulnerable areas. The incident underscores ongoing challenges in countering sectarian-targeted violence, particularly against Shia communities, amid broader militant threats from groups like ISKP, which has historically targeted religious minorities in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Authorities continue to investigate the attack's planning, logistics, and potential links to larger networks, while urging the public to remain vigilant. Hospitals remain on high alert for any additional influx of patients, and security has been heightened across Islamabad to prevent follow-up incidents.
