At least 31 people were killed and more than 150 others injured on Friday when a blast struck an Imambargah in Pakistan’s capital, with officials saying it may have been a suicide attack.
The death toll was confirmed by Islamabad’s deputy commissioner.
The explosion occurred at Imambargah Qasr‑e‑Khadijat‑ul‑Kubra while worshippers were inside, according to preliminary information from local authorities. Videos circulating on social media showed several people lying injured outside the building.
Eyewitnesses said the attacker first opened fire on a security guard at the gate before moving inside, continuing to shoot and then detonating an explosive device near the inner gate. Officials, however, have not yet confirmed this account.
Authorities declared an emergency at nearby hospitals as senior district administration and police officials rushed to the scene. Emergency services and law enforcement launched rescue and security operations, and ambulances transported the injured to medical facilities, police said.
The wounded were taken to various hospitals, including the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Polyclinic, while others were being shifted to additional medical centers, officials added.
The blast site has been completely sealed off as investigators work to determine the cause of the explosion.
This is a developing story and will be updated as details emerge.
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