Delhi: India strongly condemned the deadly suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad, while firmly rejecting Islamabad’s attempt to shift responsibility by pointing fingers at external forces. New Delhi said Pakistan must stop living in denial and confront the deep-rooted problems within its own society instead of blaming others for violence that is clearly home-grown.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed condolences to the families of those killed and injured in the blast but made it clear that India will not accept baseless allegations being used as a distraction from Pakistan’s internal security failures. The attack, which took place during Friday prayers, claimed the lives of at least 70 people and left more than 200 others injured, making it one of the deadliest recent assaults on Pakistan’s Shia community.
In a sharply worded statement, the MEA said it was unfortunate that Pakistan continues to avoid serious introspection. “Rather than addressing the deep social and security issues that plague its own fabric, Pakistan chooses to remain in delusion and blame others for its home-grown ills,” the statement said. India categorically dismissed any suggestion of foreign involvement, calling such claims meaningless and irresponsible.
The powerful explosion occurred at the Khadijah al Kubra mosque-cum-imambargah in Islamabad’s Tarlai area. Police said the blast was so intense that it was heard from several kilometres away. According to eyewitness accounts, the attacker was stopped at the entrance of the mosque but still managed to detonate the explosive device, causing massive casualties inside the prayer hall.
Television visuals showed a horrifying scene with shattered glass, debris scattered across the floor, and bodies lying amid the wreckage. Some witnesses reported that the attacker opened fire before triggering the blast, adding to the chaos and panic.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. However, Pakistani police sources indicated that the suicide bomber was a foreign national and had suspected links to Fitna al Khwaraji, a term commonly used by Pakistani authorities for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The TTP later denied involvement, stating that its targets were limited to Pakistan’s security institutions.
Adding to the tragedy, Islamabad police confirmed that a close relative of the city’s police chief was among those killed, while another family member was injured.
