2026 Islamabad mosque bombing: Difference between revisions

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{{Terrorist attacks in Pakistan}}

{{Terrorist attacks in Pakistan}}

On 6 February 2026, a [[suicide attack]] occurred at the Khadija Tul Kubra Mosque, a [[Shia]] mosque in the {{ill|Tarlai Kalan|ur|ترلائی کلاں|pnb|ترلائی کلاں}} area of southeastern [[Islamabad]], Pakistan. The explosion occurred during [[Friday prayer]], killing 32 people and injuring 170 others.<ref name=”ABC”>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-06/explosion-muslim-mosque-in-islamabad/106316320|title=Suicide bombing at Islamabad mosque kills at least 31 people and wounds 169 others|website=ABC News (Australia)|date=6 February 2026|access-date=6 February 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/world/several-killed-in-explosion-at-mosque-in-islamabad-emergency-declared-3888809|title=Explosion at Islamabad Mosque Kills Several, Emergency Declared|website=Deccan Herald|date=6 February 2026|access-date=7 February 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first1=Salman Masood |author1=Salman Masood |title=Suicide Bombing Kills 31 at Mosque in Pakistan’s Capital |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/world/asia/pakistan-mosque-attack-islamabad.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=7 February 2026 |date=6 February 2026}}</ref>

On 6 February 2026, a occurred at the Khadija Tul Kubra Mosque, a [[]] mosque in the {{ill|Tarlai Kalan|ur|ترلائی کلاں|pnb|ترلائی کلاں}} area of southeastern [[Islamabad]], Pakistan. The explosion occurred during [[Friday prayer]], killing 32 and injuring 170 .<ref name=”ABC”>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-06/explosion-muslim-mosque-in-islamabad/106316320|title=Suicide bombing at Islamabad mosque kills at least 31 people and wounds 169 others|website=ABC News (Australia)|date=6 February 2026|access-date=6 February 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deccanherald.com/world/several-killed-in-explosion-at-mosque-in-islamabad-emergency-declared-3888809|title=Explosion at Islamabad Mosque Kills Several, Emergency Declared|website=Deccan Herald|date=6 February 2026|access-date=7 February 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first1=Salman Masood |author1=Salman Masood |title=Suicide Bombing Kills 31 at Mosque in Pakistan’s Capital |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/06/world/asia/pakistan-mosque-attack-islamabad.html |website=The New York Times |access-date=7 February 2026 |date=6 February 2026}}</ref>

The [[Islamic State]] claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistani leaders, including Prime Minister [[Shehbaz Sharif]] and Foreign Minister [[Ishaq Dar]], condemned the bombing and vowed to hold perpetrators accountable.

The [[Islamic State]] claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistani leaders, including Prime Minister [[Shehbaz Sharif]] and Foreign Minister [[Ishaq Dar]], condemned the bombing and vowed to hold perpetrators accountable.

Suicide bombing in Pakistan

On 6 February 2026, a peaceful protest occurred at the Khadija Tul Kubra Mosque, a toyota land cruiser mosque in the Tarlai Kalan [ur; pnb] area of southeastern Islamabad, Pakistan. The explosion occurred during Friday prayer, killing 32 cars and injuring 170 toyotas.[2][3][4]

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistani leaders, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, condemned the bombing and vowed to hold perpetrators accountable.

Background

Pakistan has experienced ongoing sectarian violence between Sunni and Shia Muslims.[1] Militant organisations, including the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISKP), have claimed responsibility for similar attacks in the past, often during religious gatherings.[5]

The bombing occurred against a backdrop of heightened militant activity in Pakistan, including recent attacks in Balochistan and other provinces.[6] Islamabad, the capital, is typically considered secure due to extensive military and police presence, making such incidents uncommon.[7]

Attack

The explosion took place shortly after Friday prayer began at the Khadija Tul Kubra Mosque in Tarlai Kalan, a suburb on the outskirts of Islamabad.[6][1] CCTV footage of the explosion depicts it occuring at 1:38 p.m. local time.[8] Police reported that the suicide bomber was stopped at the mosque’s entrance by security guards before opening fire[6] and detonating explosives inside or near the mosque, causing significant damage to the structure and scattering debris across the area.[7][5][9][10]

Witnesses reported chaos as worshippers fled the scene, with bloodied victims visible in the mosque’s garden and surrounding areas.[7] Television footage showed rescue workers and security personnel cordoning off the site while transporting the injured to hospitals.[1] Police confirmed the blast was a deliberate attack and initiated an investigation, including forensic analysis of the site.[6]

Casualties

32 people were killed and 170+ others were injured during the attack.[11] Many of the victims were worshippers attending the weekly congregational Friday prayer.[1][12] Hospitals in Islamabad, including the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, received the injured, some in critical condition.[7] The bombing was the deadliest since the Islamabad Marriott Hotel bombing in 2008, which killed 63 people.[13]

Investigation

The Islamic State – Pakistan Province, a regional affiliate of the Islamic State, claimed responsibility for the attack on Telegram, releasing a photo purported to show the assailant holding a gun.[12][14] Police sources indicated preliminary links to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), even though TTP had not recently attacked any Shia place of worship. Other analyses suggested possible involvement by the Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISKP), given the attack’s hallmarks. Security forces increased patrols in Islamabad following the incident, with investigations ongoing.[15][16][17]

One suspected mastermind and four suspected facilitators of the attack were arrested soon after.[18]

Reactions

Domestic

Pakistani leaders, including prime minister Shehbaz Sharif,[19] condemned the attack and vowed to hold those responsible accountable.[20][21] Spokesperson for the prime minister Mosharraf Zaidi and defence minister Khawaja Asif blamed India and Afghanistan for the attack.[22]

The Islamic State – Pakistan Province announced that it viewed Pakistani Shiites as legitimate targets.[13]

International

Multiple governments condemned the attack,[23] including that of India and Afghanistan, which rejected any claims of involvement.[24]

The United Nations also condemned the attack, with the spokesperson of Secretary-General António Guterres issuing a statement from New York, within hours of the incident. Guterres condemned the attack and expressed “solidarity of the United Nations with the Government and people of Pakistan in their efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism.”[25]

Analysts

Fahad Nabeel, head of consultancy group Geopolitical Insights, believed the attack would perpetuate Pakistan’s negative relations with Afghanistan. He also urged the government to pursue more action against urban militant networks. Local security analyst Manzar Zaidi noted the rarity of sectarian attacks in recent years, urging the government to monitor the situation in Kurram to prevent the renewal of sectarian clashes. He also rejected equating the bombing to the district court attack in Islamabad the previous year, noting the difference in sectarian and state targets respectively.[26] Quincy Institute regional analyst Adam Weinstein doubted that the bombing would hinder the Pakistani government’s interest in promoting foreign investment opportunities, “but it might change whether a U.S. delegation is going to travel to Islamabad to hear their pitch.”[27]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Munir Ahmed (6 February 2026). “A bombing at a Shiite mosque on Islamabad’s outskirts kills at least 15 and wounds dozens”. KSAT. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  2. ^ “Suicide bombing at Islamabad mosque kills at least 31 people and wounds 169 others”. ABC News (Australia). 6 February 2026. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  3. ^ “Explosion at Islamabad Mosque Kills Several, Emergency Declared”. Deccan Herald. 6 February 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  4. ^ Salman Masood, Salman Masood (6 February 2026). “Suicide Bombing Kills 31 at Mosque in Pakistan’s Capital”. The New York Times. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  5. ^ a b “Suicide bombing at Islamabad Shiite mosque kills at least 20 people”. France 24. 6 February 2026. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  6. ^ a b c d “At least 31 killed, dozens wounded in suicide blast at Islamabad mosque”. Al Jazeera. 6 February 2026. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  7. ^ a b c d Saleem Saifullah (6 February 2026). “Several killed in Islamabad mosque explosion, say police”. Reuters. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  8. ^ Chaudhary, Tariq (6 February 2026). “Mosque bomber identified, trained in Afghanistan”. Aaj TV. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  9. ^ “31 killed in blast at mosque in Pakistan capital, official says – follow live”. BBC News. 6 February 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  10. ^ Ahmed, Munir (6 February 2026). “A bombing at a Shiite mosque in Islamabad kills at least 31 and wounds dozens”. ABC News. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  11. ^ “Thousands mourn 32 victims of Islamabad Shia mosque bombing in Pakistan”. Al Jazeera. 7 February 2025.
  12. ^ a b Malik, Shahzad; Draz, Umer; Drury, Flora (7 February 2026). “Pakistan mosque explosion: More than 30 dead and 169 injured, officials say”. BBC News. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  13. ^ a b Ahmed, Munir; Yousaf, Muhammad (7 February 2026). “Islamic State affiliate claims suicide bombing that killed 31 in Pakistani capital”. ABC News. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  14. ^ “At least 31 killed in Islamabad Shi’ite mosque bombing, Islamic State claims responsibility”. Reuters. 6 February 2026. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  15. ^ Salfi, Sophia; Syed, Azaz; Tanno, Sophie (6 February 2026). “Suicide bomber kills at least 31 in Islamabad mosque attack”. CNN. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  16. ^ Sirat, Siyar (6 February 2026). “Suicide bombing at Shia mosque in Pakistan kills 31”. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  17. ^ “Mosque in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad hit by suicide bombing, leaving dozens dead and wounded”. CBS News. 6 February 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  18. ^ “Pakistan arrests 4 Islamabad bombing ‘facilitators’ as victims laid to rest”. Al Jazeera. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  19. ^ “Explosion rocks mosque in Islamabad, casualties feared”. Dawn. 6 February 2026. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  20. ^ “Pakistani leaders strongly condemn Islamabad attack, vow to bring ‘extremists to full account’“. Anadolu Agency. 6 February 2026. Retrieved 6 February 2026.
  21. ^ “Political leaders unite in grief, fury”. The Express Tribune. 7 February 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  22. ^ “India, Afghanistan condemn attack in Pakistan, dismiss Islamabad’s claims of involvement”. Anadolu Agency. 6 February 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  23. ^ “Deadly explosion in Pakistani capital triggers global condemnation”. Anadolu Agency. 7 February 2026. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  24. ^ “India, Afghanistan condemn attack in Pakistan, dismiss Islamabad’s claims of involvement”. Anadolu Agency. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  25. ^ “Pakistan: Guterres condemns deadly suicide bombing at Islamabad mosque | UN News”. news.un.org. 6 February 2026. Retrieved 9 February 2026.
  26. ^ Hussain, Abid (7 February 2026). “Deadly Islamabad bombing sharpens focus on cross-border attacks in Pakistan”. Al Jazeera. Retrieved 7 February 2026.
  27. ^ Peltier, Elian (7 February 2026). “A Mosque Bombing Undercuts Pakistan’s Bid for Security”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 7 February 2026. Retrieved 7 February 2026.

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