In the wake of a deadly suicide bombing in Islamabad that claimed at least 12 lives and injured 36 others, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have vowed to continue decisive action against foreign-backed terrorists.
The suicide attacker tried to target the area inside of newly built District Judicial Complex in sector G-11 of Islamabad. As per the official accounts this was the first suicide bombing in the capital in nearly three years.
Both leaders while meeting at the President’s house reaffirmed their commitment to eradicating the menace of terrorism from Pakistan. They further said “We will continue operations against foreign-backed terrorists and their facilitators until complete eradication.”
The suicide blast at the Judicial Complex of Islamabad was preceded by another major terror incident targeting Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan. Currently Pakistan’s security officials confirms that in a major security operation at Cadet College Wana has successfully neutralised all terrorists linked to Indian proxy Fitna al-Khawarij.
In response to the Islamabad attack, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that the bomber targeted a police vehicle after failing to enter the courthouse.
Victims of the attack included petitioners, lawyers, and police officials, while court proceedings were suspended following the explosion.
After the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has seen a substantial increase in the terrorist activities particularly cross-border terror attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
In a strong statement following the blast, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif criticized the Afghan Taliban regime for allowing terrorism to spill into Pakistan.
“We are in a state of war. Anyone who thinks that the Pakistan Army is fighting this war only in the border areas along Afghanistan or in the remote regions of Balochistan should take the suicide attack in Islamabad as a wake-up call,” he posted on X.
Asif also cast doubt on the possibility of renewed talks with the Afghan Taliban, saying: “The Kabul leadership can stop terrorism in Pakistan, but bringing this war to Islamabad carries a message from Kabul.” He further asserted that the attack was a pressure tactic and “intended as a message to the country.”
Despite the challenges, Pakistan’s leadership remains resolute in tackling terrorism head-on, stating: “Pakistan will not tolerate terrorism in either border or urban areas.”
