Pakistan blast: 12 dead in car explosion at Islamabad district court

Among the dead were civilians, security personnel, and a lawyer. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but officials suspect the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has carried out similar attacks targeting law enforcement and judicial institutions.

“Our first priority is to identify the attacker,” Naqvi told reporters at the scene. “Once confirmed, we will share the details with the media.” He added that those funding militants in Pakistan had “tripled their support” recently, linking the blast to broader regional dynamics.

Naqvi stopped short of naming a specific group or country but hinted at cross-border involvement, saying, “Pakistan is clear that Afghanistan should stop terrorism coming from their soil; otherwise, we will have to act.”

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described the bombing as a “message from Kabul,” warning that Pakistan was “in a state of war.” He said the attack underscored that terrorism was no longer confined to border regions but had reached the nation’s capital.

President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the “heinous suicide attack,” offering condolences to the victims’ families and calling for unity against terrorism.

The attack comes just days after talks between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban failed to yield an agreement on curbing cross-border militancy. It also follows another suicide blast on Monday that injured six people at a cadet college in South Waziristan, reportedly carried out by the banned TTP.

Pakistan has faced a surge in militant violence in recent months, particularly in regions bordering Afghanistan, as peace negotiations with militant factions have repeatedly collapsed.

(With Inputs from PTI)