Pakistan: 69 killed in suicide blast at Islamabad
Babushahi Bureau
Islamabad (Pakistan), February 6, 2026: At least 69 people were killed and over 160 injured after a suicide bomber detonated explosives at a Shia place of worship in Islamabad on Friday, triggering one of the deadliest attacks in the Pakistani capital in recent months.
The explosion took place at Tarlai Imambargah, located in the Shehzad Town area, during afternoon hours when worshippers were present at the shrine. According to Pakistani media reports, the attacker attempted to enter the premises but was intercepted by security guards at the main gate, preventing access to the main prayer hall.
Security officials said the bomber detonated the explosives at the entrance, causing extensive damage to the gate and shattering windows of nearby buildings. Debris was scattered across the road, and several casualties were reported at the site.
Following the blast, the Inspector General of Police, Islamabad, declared a city-wide emergency, while rescue teams, police and law-enforcement agencies rushed to the scene amid fears of a rising death toll. The injured were shifted to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Polyclinic Hospital, officials confirmed.
The attack comes less than three months after a suicide bombing outside a district and sessions court in Islamabad on November 11, 2025, in which 12 people were killed and over 30 injured, raising renewed concerns over security in the capital.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the attack, expressing deep grief over the loss of lives. In an official statement, he denounced the blast at the Shia shrine and conveyed condolences to the families of the victims, while directing authorities to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured.
Investigations are underway to ascertain the identity of the attacker and the group behind the attack.