BREAKING: Four suspects, including the alleged mastermind, have been arrested in connection with the devastating mosque bombing in Islamabad that claimed the lives of 31 people and injured 169 others. The arrests come just days after the attack during Friday prayers at a Shiite mosque in the Tarlai area, where a suicide bomber detonated an explosives-laden vest in a crowded worship space.
Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the arrests, stating that among those detained is an Afghan national believed to be the bombing’s orchestrator. During the operations to apprehend the suspects, a counterterrorism officer was killed, and three others sustained injuries, underscoring the extreme risks law enforcement faces in these raids.
The horrific bombing, which occurred on February 3, 2023, marks the deadliest attack in Pakistan’s capital in over a decade. The Islamic State has claimed responsibility for this tragic incident, indicating a resurgence of violence in the region. Eyewitness reports suggest that the bomber was not originally from Afghanistan but had reportedly visited the country multiple times.
In the aftermath of this attack, large crowds gathered in Islamabad as mourners began to prepare for funerals, reflecting the deep emotional impact on the community. Naqvi has controversially suggested that India may have funded those responsible for the bombing; however, India’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has labeled these claims as “baseless” and strongly condemned the attack itself.
Adding to the tension, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif hinted at a potential involvement of the Afghan government, which officials in Afghanistan have dismissed as lacking credible evidence and called the accusations “regrettable.”
This incident follows a series of violent attacks in Pakistan, including a November bombing that left 12 dead and 27 injured. Recent violence in Balochistan resulted in the deaths of 58 people, with the Balochistan Liberation Army claiming responsibility for those attacks. In retaliation, Pakistani forces have reportedly killed an estimated 200 militants associated with the BLA.
As authorities continue to investigate and secure the area, the nation remains on high alert. What happens next is crucial as communities grapple with the aftermath of this tragedy. The ongoing developments in Pakistan’s security situation are expected to be closely monitored by international observers and local citizens alike.
