BLA behind Islamabad Imambargah suicide blast: Talal Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said on Friday that the deadly blast at an Imambargah in Islamabad was a suicide attack, adding that authorities had obtained details of the attacker, including his travel history to Afghanistan.

Speaking to reporters, Chaudhry said the attacker was not an Afghan national, but had travelled to Afghanistan multiple times.

He said investigators were analysing the attacker’s network and could reach the perpetrators behind the attack within 72 hours.

Chaudhry said preliminary investigation indicated that 31 people were killed and more than 100 injured. The incident was reported to Islamabad authorities at 1:42 pm, he added.

Hospitals in Islamabad have been placed on emergency footing, Chaudhry said, adding that he remained at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) on the directives of the prime minister and interior minister.

The minister alleged that the attack was carried out by militants of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), describing it as an assault on a “soft target”.

“These terrorists have crossed the final limits of cowardice,” he said, without providing evidence.

He said that Pakistan had repeatedly stated that such groups were foreign‑sponsored, alleging Indian involvement.

Chaudhry said that among those killed was a cousin of Islamabad’s Inspector General of Police, adding that the police chief remained on duty despite the personal loss.

He said that the government continued to implement the National Action Plan against militancy and that there would be “no leniency”.

The interior minister has visited the site and obtained a full briefing, he added.

Calling the attack an assault on worshippers, Chaudhry said, “Those who were praying before God were martyred in the name of religion.”

He also said Pakistan had conveyed concerns to Afghanistan, calling on it to fulfil responsibilities as a neighbouring country.

Chaudhry said that authorities were tracking facilitators linked to the attacker and reiterated that no Afghan national would be allowed to stay illegally in Pakistan.