Suicide blast at Shia religious site in Islamabad kills at least 24, injures 101

2026-02-06 - 11:35

At least 24 people were killed and 101 others injured on Friday when an explosion struck a Shia religious site in the Shehzad Town area of Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. Local broadcaster Geo TV reported that a suicide bomber detonated explosives after being stopped at the gate of the Imambargah, a place of worship used by Shia Muslims. Emergency Response and Site Security The Islamabad district administration confirmed the blast and stated that the area has been completely sealed off. Search and rescue operations are underway, and the injured have been transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. Video footage from the scene showed multiple casualties on the ground following the explosion. Context of Sectarian Violence Attacks on religious sites, particularly those frequented by Shia communities, have occurred periodically in Pakistan, often linked to sectarian militant groups. Authorities have heightened security around religious gatherings in the past, though such incidents continue to pose a significant challenge to national security and interfaith harmony.