Islamabad: At least 31 people were killed and more than 150 were injured in a suicide blast at the main gate of an Imambargah in the Tarlai area of the federal capital.
According to initial reports, the blast took place when a large number of people were present inside and outside the Imambargah, due to which there is a fear of increasing casualties. Immediately after the incident, there was severe panic in the area, and citizens came out of their homes in large numbers.
The intensity of the blast was so high that the windows of houses adjacent to the Imambargah were broken, and vehicles parked nearby were also damaged. According to initial reports, the body parts of the suicide bomber were found inside the Imambargah, which has increased the possibility of confirming the nature of the blast as suicide. The security situation in the area has become extremely sensitive after the incident.
As soon as the information was received, teams of police, Rescue 1122, and other relief agencies immediately reached the spot, and the process of removing the injured and bodies and shifting them to nearby hospitals was started. On the instructions of IG Islamabad, an emergency was imposed in the federal capital, while law enforcement agencies have been put on high alert. Rangers and Pakistan Army personnel also reached the area and security was taken over.
Following the blast, an emergency was immediately declared in major hospitals in Islamabad, including Polyclinic, PIMS, and CDA Hospital. According to the hospital administration, the main emergency, orthopedic, burn center, and neuro departments have been fully activated to provide immediate and effective medical assistance to the injured.
The injured and bodies were transported by ambulances to PIMS and the polyclinic, where doctors and medical staff are busy providing emergency treatment.
The administration says that the condition of some of the injured is critical, which raises the possibility of an increase in the death toll.
According to police sources, the bomb disposal squad has reached the scene and started an investigation into the nature of the explosion and the materials used in it.
The blast site has been completely sealed off after the incident, and evidence is being collected. In addition, security agencies have also launched a search operation in the area to avert any potential threat in a timely manner.
