Tragic Explosion at Islamabad Mosque Claims 31 Lives

Sun Feb 08 2026 01:31:47 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A suicide bombing during Friday prayers in Islamabad's Shia mosque has resulted in at least 31 fatalities and numerous injuries. Eyewitness accounts recount a chaotic scene as prayers were interrupted by gunfire and subsequent explosions.

An explosion during Friday prayers at a Shia mosque in Islamabad has resulted in at least 31 deaths and 169 injuries. The attack, attributed to a suicide bomber, has elicited widespread condemnation from Pakistani officials and international leaders, while raising questions about regional security and responsibility.

At least 31 people have been killed and 169 injured in an explosion at a mosque during Friday prayers in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, officials say.

According to police, a suicide bomber detonated a device after approaching the gates of the Shia mosque in the Tarlai area of the city. Eyewitnesses have reported that the blast was preceded by the sound of gunfire.

An emergency was declared as hospitals began to receive the wounded, prompting an appeal for blood donations.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief over the incident and called for a thorough investigation to identify those responsible.

In separate statements, Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the targeting of innocent civilians as a crime against humanity. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif suggested that India and Afghanistan were complicit in the attack.

The Taliban government in Afghanistan characterized Asif's comments as regrettable, stating that the Pakistani minister attributed the attack prematurely without credible evidence.

The Indian government also condemned the attack, offering condolences and denying any involvement in the incident.

Witnesses described horrific scenes, with bodies strewn across the mosque floor. After we bowed and prostrated, there was an explosion, said Zaheer Abbas, a worshipper present during the attack.

Images from the scene depicted a chaotic aftermath, with shattered glass and footwear scattered in the mosque. Victims were transported to hospitals via private vehicles and ambulances as emergency services responded to the scene.

This blast follows a week of violence in Balochistan, which resulted in numerous civilian deaths attributed to militant attacks. The Balochistan Liberation Army claimed responsibility for those incidents, further complicating the security situation in Pakistan.

According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies, violence in Pakistan reached alarming levels last year, with a significant increase in the number of casualties from militant attacks.