Suicide bomber claims 12 lives in a rare attack on Pak capital

At least 12 people were killed and 27 others injured in a suicide blast outside a court in G-11 sector of Islamabad on Tuesday.

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Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters that the suicide attack took place at 12:39pm, and added that the suicide bomber was trying to enter the courthouse but “when he did not get an opportunity, he attacked a police vehicle.”

Naqvi noted that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has directed to ensure best medical assistance to those injured and said that the first priority will be to identify the suicide bomber.

“Those behind the court attack will be brought to light,” the minister said, adding: “There are many links in today's attack; evidence will be brought to light soon.”

He warned that there are many messages in this attack. If someone from another country is involved, it will not be forgiven, he added.

Naqvi disclosed that the suicide bomber remained at the site for 10 to 15 minutes, planning to enter the building before carrying out the attack. He added that the attacker detonated the explosives as soon as a police vehicle arrived.

The interior minister visited district courts and directed that the search operation be completed swiftly. Inspector General of Islamabad Police (IGP) Ali Nasir Rizvi briefed the minister on the incident.