A suicide bombing near a courthouse in Islamabad, Pakistan, has resulted in 12 fatalities and at least 27 injuries, according to the nation’s interior minister.
Mohsin Naqvi stated that a bomber intended to assault the district courthouse but was unable to gain entry.
Naqvi stated that authorities will prioritise identifying the bomber and ensuring that those responsible will face punishment.
Suicide bombings in Islamabad have been infrequent in recent years. Video from the area on Tuesday displayed the remnants of a charred vehicle and an established police cordon.
Naqvi stated that the 27 injured individuals are undergoing medical treatment.
He stated that the assailant detonated the explosive near a police vehicle after a wait of up to 15 minutes.
Images of the aftermath revealed smoke billowing from a scorched vehicle situated behind a security barrier. The event occurred at approximately 12:39 local time (07:39 GMT).
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his vehement condemnation of the suicide explosion.
An attorney, who claimed to be parking his vehicle outside the courthouse at that moment, recounted hearing a “loud bang.”
Rustam Malik informed the AFP news agency that “it was utter chaos.”
“Attorneys and individuals were fleeing within the complex,” he stated. “I observed two deceased individuals positioned at the gate, while multiple vehicles were engulfed in flames.”
The most recent suicide bombing in Pakistan’s capital occurred three years ago, resulting in the death of a police officer and injuries to numerous others.
Since then, there have been suicide attacks in other regions of the country, but not in Islamabad.
