A devastating suicide bomb attack struck a Shia mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Friday, February 6, 2026, during weekly prayers. The incident, which occurred at the Khadija Tul Kubra Mosque in the Tarlai Kalan area, resulted in the deaths of at least 31 people and left 169 injured, many critically, according to police officials and news agencies.
The powerful explosion sent shockwaves through the capital, a city typically considered more secure than other parts of Pakistan. Rescuers and witnesses described a harrowing scene inside the mosque, with bodies and wounded individuals lying amidst chaos on the carpeted floor.
While no group immediately claimed responsibility for the heinous act, suspicion quickly fell upon militant organizations such as the Pakistani Taliban (Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP) or the Islamic State Khorasan Province (IS-K). These groups have been implicated in previous attacks targeting Shia worshippers, a minority community in Pakistan, as reported by The Guardian.
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif stated that preliminary findings suggested the suicide bomber had traveled to and from Afghanistan. He further alleged that mosque security guards attempted to intercept the suspect, who then opened fire before detonating explosives among the worshippers, Al Jazeera reported.
Pakistani leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, swiftly condemned the attack, vowing to hold the perpetrators accountable. Prime Minister Sharif denounced the bombing as a "cowardly act of terrorism" and ordered immediate medical aid for the victims, as noted by Wikipedia.
The incident highlights a recent surge in militant violence across Pakistan, despite Islamabad's generally heightened security. This attack follows other significant militant activities in the country, including a series of attacks in Balochistan province just days prior, according to cbc.
International reactions included India's strong rejection of any allegations of its involvement, which were made by Pakistan's Defence Minister. A spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs condemned the bombing but dismissed Pakistan's claims as baseless, as reported by NDTV.
- The suicide bombing at the Khadija Tul Kubra Mosque in Islamabad on February 6, 2026, during Friday prayers, killed 31 people and injured 169, marking one of the deadliest attacks in the capital in years.
- Although no group immediately claimed responsibility, conflict monitor ACLED suggested the attack "bears the hallmarks of the Islamic State" group, while Pakistani officials suspect the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or IS-K.
- Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif indicated the bomber had connections to Afghanistan, a claim that has been a recurring point of contention between the two nations regarding militant activities.
- The attack underscores a concerning rise in militant violence across Pakistan, with previous incidents in Balochistan province and an Islamabad court in recent months, highlighting persistent security challenges.
- Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the "cowardly" act, while India rejected Pakistan's allegations of its involvement, calling them "baseless".
