A deadly
explosion near Islamabad courthouse kills 12 and injures 27, with officials
blaming the Pakistani Taliban. [149/150]
ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN — At least 12 people were killed and 27 others wounded in a powerful explosion near a courthouse in Pakistan’s capital on Tuesday, in what officials described as one of the deadliest terrorist attacks to hit Islamabad in recent months. Authorities quickly blamed the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), for orchestrating the blast amid an escalating wave of militant violence across the region.
According
to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the explosion occurred when an attacker
carrying explosives tried to enter the court complex in Islamabad’s G-11 district
but was stopped by security forces. “When the assailant failed to breach the
gate, he detonated the device near a police vehicle,” Naqvi told reporters at
the scene. Several officers and civilians were among the casualties.
The
attack sent shockwaves through the capital, shattering windows across nearby
buildings and sparking panic among residents. Emergency services rushed to the
scene within minutes, cordoning off the area and transporting victims to
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital.
Background and Context
Tuesday’s
bombing comes just a day after a similar incident in northern India killed at
least eight people, raising fears of a resurgence of cross-border militant
operations in South Asia. The Pakistani Taliban, which has waged a long
insurgency against the government since 2007, has increased attacks since peace
talks with Islamabad collapsed in late 2022.
Security
analysts note that the TTP has grown more active in Pakistan’s northwestern
provinces, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and has occasionally struck urban
centers. While the group’s leadership is believed to operate from bases along
the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, it has repeatedly targeted courts, police, and
military installations inside Pakistan.
“This is part of a broader trend of escalating militancy,” said Dr. Saad Ahmad, a terrorism researcher at Lahore University. “The government’s recent counterterrorism campaigns have pushed the TTP to respond with symbolic, high-visibility attacks like this one in Islamabad.”
Officials
said that intelligence agencies had recently intercepted chatter about
potential attacks on government institutions, prompting tighter security in
major cities. Despite those warnings, Tuesday’s bombing underscores ongoing
vulnerabilities in Pakistan’s counterterrorism operations.
Reactions and Implications
Prime
Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack as “an act of cowardice designed
to destabilize Pakistan’s democratic and judicial institutions.” He vowed that
the perpetrators would “face justice swiftly.” The Prime Minister also convened
an emergency meeting of the National Security Committee to review the situation
and coordinate with provincial governments.
The
United Nations and United States Embassy in Islamabad both issued statements
condemning the bombing and expressing condolences to the victims’ families. “We
stand with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism,” said a U.S. State
Department spokesperson.
Locally, residents expressed grief and anger over the persistent threat of violence. “We were just starting to feel safe again, but this has brought back old fears,” said Aisha Khan, a lawyer who was in the courthouse at the time of the blast. “The government must do more to protect us.”
Security
forces have since sealed off the entire district, and investigators are
collecting forensic evidence, including body parts and fragments of the
explosive device. Initial reports suggest the attacker may have used a suicide
vest packed with ball bearings and high-grade explosives, a method often
employed by the TTP.
What Happens Next
Authorities
have declared a high alert across major Pakistani cities, including Lahore and
Karachi, fearing potential follow-up attacks. Intelligence officials told CRN
Times that operations are underway to track down possible accomplices,
including a suspected network that provided logistical support to the bomber.
Analysts
say the Islamabad attack could strain Pakistan’s already tense relations with
the Taliban administration in Afghanistan, which Islamabad accuses of harboring
TTP militants. “Unless there’s real cooperation from Kabul, Pakistan’s
counterterrorism strategy will remain incomplete,” said Hamid Yusuf, a former
intelligence officer.
Meanwhile,
the federal government has promised compensation for victims’ families and
announced plans to strengthen courthouse security nationwide. The tragedy has
reignited debate about whether Pakistan should resume negotiations with
insurgent groups or pursue a strictly military response.
For now,
Islamabad mourns yet another reminder of the country’s fragile security
situation — one that continues to challenge both its leaders and citizens.
Key Data Points
- Casualties: 12 dead, 27 injured — Pakistan Interior Ministry (Nov. 11, 2025)
- Attack type: Suicide bombing near Islamabad courthouse — Local Police Report
- Suspected group: Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — Preliminary Intelligence Brief
Credits:
Author: Michael Thompson
(International Affairs Reporter)
Editor-in-Chief: María Quesada
Photo: Getty Images / Licensed Source
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