Suicide blast in Pakistan capital during Jum’ah kills 30, wounds 169

Islamabad: More than 30 people were killed, and more than 169 were injured after a powerful explosion rocked an imambargah in Islamabad's Tarlai area during Friday prayers, triggering massive panic in the Pakistani capital, according to a BBC report.

"The death toll from the explosion in the federal capital has risen to 15, according to a spokesperson for the District Administration. The spokesperson further confirmed that the number of patients brought to various hospitals across the city has now exceeded 80. However, a spokesperson from PIMS hospital clarified that 32 of those injured were brought specifically to their facility," an earlier report by Pakistan's Express Tribune newspaper said.

The report mentioned that the blast was heard over a considerable distance, and the site of the explosion has been completely sealed to collect evidence.

"Preliminary reports suggest a possible suicide bombing, though officials have yet to confirm the motive... The Islamabad blast comes amid a spate of recent attacks across Pakistan, including multiple deadly incidents in Balochistan targeting security forces and civilians. On November 11 there was another attack outside Islamabad Court, which killed at least 12 people and injured more than 36 others," the newspaper reported.

Another leading daily highlighted that the attack comes during the two-day official visit of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

"Islamabad Capital Territory Police Spokesperson Taqi Jawad said it was too soon to ascertain the nature of the blast and forensics teams would need to determine whether it was a suicide or a planted bomb," reported Dawn.

Country's leading news network, Geo News, quoted local officials as saying that the suicide bomber detonated himself after being stopped at the entrance of the mosque.

With IANS inputs