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New Delhi/Islamabad, February 7, 2026 : A suicide bombing at a Shiite mosque in Islamabad has killed at least 31 people and injured 169 others, marking one of the deadliest attacks in Pakistan’s capital since 2008. The explosion occurred during Friday prayers at the Imam Bargah Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra mosque in the Tarlai area, prompting emergency response and heightened security across major cities.
Pakistani authorities have launched a multi-agency investigation, reviewing surveillance footage and forensic evidence. While the Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attack , some senior officials in Pakistan have publicly suggested possible cross-border involvement, referencing prior intelligence inputs. Allegations of an Indian and Afghan link have surfaced in media commentary, though no technical evidence has been released publicly to substantiate these claims.
The Government of India issued a firm denial, rejecting the accusations as baseless and irresponsible. In an official statement, New Delhi emphasized that such claims, made before the completion of a transparent investigation, risk escalating tensions and diverting attention from the actual perpetrators. India also extended condolences to the victims’ families and wished a speedy recovery to the injured, condemning the attack as a grave act of violence.
Religious leaders and civil society groups in Pakistan have appealed for calm, urging the public to refrain from spreading unverified claims while the inquiry continues. Diplomatic observers note that the incident has added strain to already sensitive ties between the two neighboring countries, and have called for restraint and fact-based engagement in the days ahead.
