Updates: Pakistan blames India for deadly Islamabad bomb blast

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Thank you for joining us. For all the latest on the attack in Islamabad, you can read our story here.

We will be closing this live page shortly but before we do, here’s a recap of the day’s major developments:

• At least 12 people have been killed and more than 30 injured in an explosion outside a court building in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad.
• President Zardari has condemned what he described as a “suicide blast” near the District Judicial Complex.
• The explosion occurred at 12:39pm (07:39 GMT), according to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who confirmed it was a suicide attack.
• PM Sharif has blamed India for the attack and another assault earlier in the day at a cadet college near the border with Afghanistan.
• The blast took place near the entrance of the district court, an area usually crowded with lawyers, litigants and visitors during the day.
• Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said Pakistan is “in a state of war” and called the bombing a “wake-up call”.
• China, the EU, the UK and the US have all issued statements of condolence following the explosion.

Police have collected samples from the attacker’s remains, including the head, arms and other body parts, an Islamabad police spokesperson said.

The verification process has begun with Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) to determine the individual’s identity.

While addressing the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference in Islamabad, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Sharif said that “Afghanistan must understand that lasting peace can only be realised by reining in TTP and other terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory.”

In an X post on the Government of Pakistan account, Sharif also claimed that the “suicide attack” in the capital Islamabad today originated in Afghanistan, with India’s backing”.

Islamabad accuses Kabul of harbouring armed groups, particularly the Pakistan Taliban (TTP), which regularly claims deadly attacks in Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban deny sheltering the group.

Many Pakistan Taliban leaders and fighters are believed to have taken refuge in Afghanistan since the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in 2021, further straining ties between the two countries.

The United Kingdom’s high commissioner to Pakistan has expressed condolences following the explosion at a court in Islamabad.

In a post on X, Jane Marriott added that “British nationals should monitor travel advice”.

The UK government has also updated its travel advice for Pakistan following the incident. “An explosion has occurred in the G-11 sector of Islamabad. The local authorities are currently investigating. If you’re in the immediate area, follow the advice of the local authorities and monitor local media,” the statement said.

It was several years ago that Islamabad witnessed a spate of bombings and assassinations. The city has been relatively quiet.

Today’s attack took place right outside the district court in a busy area. It is situated on a main avenue, which means there is a lot of traffic and many passers-by would have been caught by this powerful explosion.

According to the interior minister, the suicide bomber had been loitering outside the gate, where there is normally a large number of litigants and their relatives. He was apparently looking for an opportunity to go inside and detonate.

However, according to the minister, when he saw the police approaching, he detonated his device with devastating effect, as several cars caught in the blast burst into flames.

Some of those injured are said to be in a life-threatening condition, so the death toll may rise.

Raja Nasir Abbas Jafri, a member of Pakistan’s Senate and head of the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), has condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly and cruel act”.

In a statement on X, Jafri said that “every Pakistani is heartbroken over the martyrdom of innocent civilians” in the attack, which killed at least 12 people.

He also accused the government of failing to uphold the country’s constitution and protect citizens from violence.

“The imposed regime in power is attacking the constitution of Pakistan to maintain its power, and the people have been left at the mercy of terrorists,” he said.

“This war for power is shaking the foundations of the country. Today, only the elite is safe in this country. There is no concern for the lives, property and honour of the people.”

Sindh province’s Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar has condemned the blast in Islamabad and expressed grief over the loss of lives.

“Suicide bombers and terrorists have no religion. They are enemies of humanity,” Lanjar said in a statement.

He added that Sindh police had been placed on high alert “until further orders” with instructions to tighten security measures across the southern province.

“Checking and surveillance should be tightened at the province’s entry and exit points, important highways, roads and side roads, while intelligence measures should be made more effective and coordinated, especially in crime-affected areas and suburbs,” he said.

The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) has confirmed that the number of wounded people has risen to 30.

“Following the attack, an emergency has been declared at PIMS, and medical assistance to the injured is under way,” PIMS spokesperson Dr Mubashir Daha said.

The explosion in Islamabad has taken place at a time when major events were under way in and near the capital, including the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers Conference and the Sixth Margalla Dialogue.

The national cricket teams of Pakistan and Sri Lanka are also taking part in a one-day international match in the twin city of Rawalpindi.

The powerful explosion hit near a residential part of the city, witnesses told local media.

Lawyer Mohammed Shahzad Butt described the blast as “huge”, saying panic spread quickly among those nearby.

“Everyone started rushing into the building in panic. I saw at least five bodies lying in front of the entrance,” he said.

Shortly after the blast, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif posted on X: “We are in a state of war. Anyone who thinks that the Pakistan Army is fighting this war in the Afghan-Pakistan border region and the remote areas of Balochistan should take today’s suicide attack at the Islamabad district courts as a wake-up call: this is a war for all of Pakistan, in which the Pakistan Army is giving daily sacrifices and making the people feel secure.

“In this environment, it would be futile to hold out greater hope for successful negotiations with the rulers of Kabul.

“The rulers of Kabul can stop terrorism in Pakistan, but bringing this war all the way to Islamabad is a message from Kabul, to which – praise be to God – Pakistan has the full strength to respond.”

The attack in Islamabad has come less than 24 hours after a deadly car explosion in India’s capital that killed 13 people.

For all the latest updates and developments from the attack in India, follow our live coverage on this page.