At least 12 killed, 36 injured in Islamabad district court suicide blast

ISLAMABAD: At least 12 people were killed and 36 others injured after a suicide bomber targeted a police vehicle outside Islamabad’s G-11 district and sessions courts on Tuesday.

According to initial reports, the explosion occurred near the main gate of the G-11 district and session courts.

At least seven injured — including four police personnel — are said to be in critical condition.

Police and other law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area and shifted the bodies and injured to PIMS Hospital.

Islamabad Police Inspector General of Ali Nasir Rizvi Islamabad Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa and other senior officials reached the site, while Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also visited the scene.

The interior minister warned that if Afghanistan failed to stop its rogue elements, Pakistan would be “left with no choice but to deal with them.”

The blast took place at around 12:45 pm, when the suicide bomber targeted a patrol vehicle of the Islamabad police stationed near the court’s main gate.

At the time, lawyers and litigants were arriving at the court premises. One of the two police vehicles deployed for security was struck; four police personnel inside were reportedly among those hit, along with several passersby, lawyers, and citizens visiting for court hearings.

Officials said that identification of the deceased and injured was under way. Forensic experts collected body parts and other evidence from the scene as investigations continued.

PIMS Hospital Executive Director Dr Imran Sikandar told HUM News English that an emergency had been declared at the hospital and treatment for the injured was under way.

He confirmed that 12 people had been killed and the number of injured had risen to 36. He said that of the 36 injured, 18 people were discharged after initial treatment while the rest of the injured were under treatment at the hospital. He said that all available resources were being used for the victims’ treatment.

Health Minister Syed Mustafa kamal also visited the PIMS Hospital and directed the hospital high-ups to ensure the best treatment to the injured.

Interior minister warns Afghanistan

Talking to the media outside the G-11 courts, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said that Pakistan had shared evidence with Afghanistan showing how individuals were receiving training there before carrying out attacks.

“If Afghanistan fails to stop these rogue elements, we will have no option but to take matters into our own hands,” he said.

He said that the attack occurred at 12:39 pm, killing 12 people and injuring 27. “The suicide bomber was planning to enter the court premises, but when he couldn’t, he detonated himself near the police vehicle,” Naqvi said, adding that identifying the attacker was the top priority.

He further stated that a similar incident took place in Wana, where a suicide bomber in a vehicle exploded at a security checkpoint, and evidence indicated Afghan involvement through active communication from across the border.

Bar association announces strike

The Rawalpindi District Bar Association announced a complete strike on Wednesday (November 12) to protest the attack. The association’s president strongly condemned the blast and demanded action against those responsible for the attack and for security lapses.

“We share the grief of the martyrs and the injured,” he said, announcing a complete boycott of court proceedings.

Political leaders condemn attack

The president, prime minister, defence minister, interior minister, and other political leaders strongly condemned the suicide bombing and expressed solidarity with the victims’ families.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the terrorist attack carried out by what he described as “the Indian-backed Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan”.

In a statement, the prime minister prayed for the elevation of ranks of those martyred in the attack and for patience and strength for their families. He said the entire nation stood in solidarity with the bereaved families and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured, directing authorities to provide them with the best possible medical care.

The prime minister said that terrorist attacks on innocent Pakistanis by Indian-sponsored proxies were deplorable. He ordered a thorough investigation into the incident and vowed that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

Shehbaz Sharif said that Indian-backed militants operating from Afghanistan had also recently attacked innocent children in Wana.

“No condemnation is enough for these attacks launched from Afghan soil with Indian support,” he said, adding that the blood of innocent Pakistanis would not be allowed to go in vain.

He reaffirmed his government’s resolve to continue the fight against terrorism until its complete eradication and until every member of these extremist groups — Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij — was eliminated.

“These cowardly acts of terror cannot shake our determination to eradicate terrorism,” he said. “India must stop the vile practice of sponsoring terrorism through its regional proxies.”

The prime minister added that the time had come for the world to condemn India’s malicious conspiracies. “India’s horrific face — the destroyer of peace in the region — now stands fully exposed before the world. Both recent attacks are the worst examples of Indian state terrorism in the region,” he said.