Post by : Rameen Ariff

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has asserted their responsibility for the brutal suicide bombing that struck Islamabad on Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 individuals and numerous injuries.

This attack was directed at the judicial commission complex in the capital, with the TTP stating that their intention was to target judges, lawyers, and officials whom they accused of "enforcing un-Islamic laws" in the nation. They warned that similar actions would persist until Islamic law is comprehensively adopted in Pakistan.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that the explosion took place near a police vehicle outside the judicial complex, leading to pandemonium and fear among onlookers.

Witnesses recounted harrowing scenes. “People began to flee in panic. I observed at least five bodies near the entrance,” mentioned lawyer Mohammed Shahzad Butt. Another lawyer, Rustam Malik, described hearing a “deafening bang” just as he was entering, noting that several vehicles were set aflame while individuals cried for assistance.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif referred to the suicide attack as a “call to action” for Pakistan, highlighting the pressing need for national solidarity and enhanced counterterrorism strategies. “Under these circumstances, fostering optimism for productive negotiations with Kabul's rulers seems pointless,” he stressed, alluding to the escalating tensions with Afghanistan.

This incident represents the first notable suicide attack in Pakistan since December 2022. Officials indicate that the nation is experiencing a resurgence in militant activity, largely attributed to armed factions allegedly operating from Afghan territory.

In a recent border confrontation, Pakistan and Afghanistan clashed, resulting in over 70 fatalities on both sides, including civilians, as reported by the United Nations.

The Islamabad explosion comes on the heels of a car blast in Delhi that claimed the lives of nine individuals and injured 20, sparking regional alarm regarding the rise of extremist threats throughout South Asia.

In response, authorities in Pakistan have bolstered security measures in critical government locations, judicial complexes, and public domains as investigations into the suicide bombing continue.

#Global