A deadly suicide attack ripped through a district court complex in Islamabad on Monday, killing at least 12 people and injuring more than two dozen others, in one of the deadliest assaults on Pakistan’s capital in recent months.
According to police and witnesses, the attack began when two armed men entered the court premises in the F-8 sector and opened fire before detonating explosives inside a courtroom. The blast caused chaos as lawyers, judges, and civilians scrambled for safety amid clouds of smoke and debris. Among the dead were a senior judge and several lawyers, officials confirmed.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the attack, calling it “an assault on justice and the rule of law.” Speaking to reporters, he said, “Pakistan is in a state of war. The enemy wants to destabilize our institutions and spread fear, but we will not allow them to succeed.” He added that security forces have intensified operations against militant networks across the country.
Rescue teams and law enforcement agencies swiftly cordoned off the area, while the injured were rushed to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) hospital, where several remain in critical condition. Authorities suspect that the attackers were linked to banned militant outfits operating in the tribal regions, though no group has immediately claimed responsibility.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the incident, calling it a “cowardly act of terror.” In a statement, he vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to eradicating terrorism from the country.
The attack has reignited fears of a resurgence in militant violence, particularly in the capital, which had largely remained peaceful in recent years following a series of military operations against extremist groups.
Security has been tightened across Islamabad and other major cities, with officials warning of potential follow-up attacks. As Pakistan mourns yet another tragedy, the government faces mounting pressure to strengthen intelligence coordination and ensure the safety of public institutions.
“This is not just an attack on a court,” said Minister Naqvi. “It’s an attack on Pakistan’s stability and democracy — and we will respond with full force.”