Islamabad explosion: Horror ‘suicide attack’ kills at least 12 as police swarm parking lot | World | News
A horror blast in Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, has taken place outside a court building and 12 people have been killed and 27 others injured. The explosion took place near the Islamabad District Court and officials including the police and the country’s interior minister have confirmed it was a suicide bombing. The blast took place in the parking lot outside the judicial complex.
A police spokesperson said: «The area has been sealed, and evidence is being collected from the blast site.» Police also said that forensic experts are investigating the type and composition of the explosives used in the attack. They added that they have also found the head of the suicide bomber, local news outlet, Samaa TV reported.
Police and rescue teams rushed to the scene and urged people to leave the area. The injured have been taken to PIMS (Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences) Hospital.
Speaking to reporters, Federal Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi said the blast took place at 12:39pm and confirmed that 12 people have been killed and 27 injured.
He said that the attacker tried to enter the court, and when unable to do so, he detonated near a police car.
Bomb disposal and forensic units are also reportedly at the scene and the area has been cordoned off.
One witness called Rustam Malik told AFP news agency: «As I parked my car and entered the complex… I heard a loud bang on the gate.
«It was complete chaos, lawyers and people were running inside the complex. I saw two dead bodies lying on the gate and several cars were on fire.»
Security has now been tightened, particularly around government buildings, judicial buildings, and other high-security areas.
Noone has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.
This comes just a day after militants targeted a cadet college in northwestern Pakistan.
Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistani security forces said they prevented an overnight attack on Monday on a cadet college in Wana, located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghan border.
Authorities reported that the assault involved a suicide car bomber and five additional militants linked to the Pakistani Taliban, who attempted to take students hostage at the army-run facility. The area had previously served as a base for the TTP, al-Qaeda, and other armed groups.
The explosion in Islamabad has also taken place just a day after a major blast in India’s capital, New Delhi, where a vehicle detonated near the Red Fort. Indian police have launched an investigation under anti-terror laws, following the attack that claimed 13 lives.
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