At Least 31 Killed in Pakistani Mosque Bombing Amid Rising Militant Violence
A devastating explosion ripped through a Shia mosque in Islamabad on Friday during prayers, claiming the lives of at least 31 people and injuring over 169 others. The attack has sparked widespread condemnation from top officials and leaders.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene with bodies scattered across the carpeted floor of the Khadija al-Kubra mosque. Many injured were seen screaming for help as rescuers rushed to the scene. Hussain Shah, who was praying in the mosque's courtyard when the blast occurred, said he saw at least 30 dead bodies inside.
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack on its Telegram channel, with the extremist group notorious for targeting Shia worshippers. The attack comes amid a surge in militant violence in Pakistan, which has seen an increase in attacks by Baloch separatist groups and the Pakistani Taliban.
Pakistan's president and prime minister have issued strong condemnations of the attack, calling it a "crime against humanity." An investigation into the blast is underway, with authorities vowing to identify and punish those responsible. The country's mainstream media faced criticism for initially failing to report on the incident, with some outlets accused of putting profit over people.
The latest attack in Islamabad follows several other recent incidents, including a 2008 bombing at the Marriott hotel that killed 63 people and a 2022 attack outside a court that killed 12. The violence has raised concerns about the security situation in Pakistan and the government's ability to protect its citizens.
As the nation mourns the loss of life, there is growing pressure on authorities to take decisive action against militant groups and ensure accountability for those responsible for such heinous attacks.
A devastating explosion ripped through a Shia mosque in Islamabad on Friday during prayers, claiming the lives of at least 31 people and injuring over 169 others. The attack has sparked widespread condemnation from top officials and leaders.
Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene with bodies scattered across the carpeted floor of the Khadija al-Kubra mosque. Many injured were seen screaming for help as rescuers rushed to the scene. Hussain Shah, who was praying in the mosque's courtyard when the blast occurred, said he saw at least 30 dead bodies inside.
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attack on its Telegram channel, with the extremist group notorious for targeting Shia worshippers. The attack comes amid a surge in militant violence in Pakistan, which has seen an increase in attacks by Baloch separatist groups and the Pakistani Taliban.
Pakistan's president and prime minister have issued strong condemnations of the attack, calling it a "crime against humanity." An investigation into the blast is underway, with authorities vowing to identify and punish those responsible. The country's mainstream media faced criticism for initially failing to report on the incident, with some outlets accused of putting profit over people.
The latest attack in Islamabad follows several other recent incidents, including a 2008 bombing at the Marriott hotel that killed 63 people and a 2022 attack outside a court that killed 12. The violence has raised concerns about the security situation in Pakistan and the government's ability to protect its citizens.
As the nation mourns the loss of life, there is growing pressure on authorities to take decisive action against militant groups and ensure accountability for those responsible for such heinous attacks.
this is so sad 
31 people just lost their lives in a mosque bombing... how can that even happen? 
The fact that the Islamic State claimed responsibility just shows how evil some people are 
and it's not like they care about the innocent lives lost. I feel bad for the families of the victims, their loved ones must be going through so much grief right now... 
and 169 others were injured too? That's just horrific 
I don't get why some people can do this kind of thing to other humans... what's wrong with them?! 
I'm not buying that ISIS just claimed responsibility out of the blue. Have they provided any credible evidence? 
It's been a while since we last heard from them, and now they're popping up like this again? Someone needs to fact-check that claim ASAP. 
this is so sad... 31 people lost their lives in a peaceful place 
169 more hurt too... how can terrorist groups just keep targeting innocent ppl? 
it's like they're trying to show off their evil deeds on social media 
why can't they see the pain & suffering they cause? 
... their reaction was kinda sketchy, if you ask me. Putting profit over people is no joke. We need more responsible reporting that puts a spotlight on these heinous acts.
... but what can they really do? The system's got its flaws, and it's gonna take more than just words to make real change happen.
. And seriously, what's with the mainstream media not reporting on this ASAP? Can't they put people before profits? 
. But at the same time, I'm not sure if we should be focusing on the extremist group or whether Pakistan's own security measures could have prevented this from happening 
? And don't even get me started on the fact that there's been an increase in attacks by Baloch separatist groups... it's all just so confusing 
the numbers are just staggering 31 lives lost is just heartbreaking i was thinking about how we need to come together as a global community to fight against terrorism its not just about Pakistan or any one country its about humanity we all bleed the same blood 
and we should be outraged by these senseless attacks. 
the media coverage is a major issue too with some outlets prioritizing profits over people it's time for us to use our voices to demand change let's draw a big circle around these innocent lives lost 
It's not like they're getting any younger or anything. And poor Islamabad, always having to deal with this kind of thing. I guess it's just another day in paradise... for the terrorists, that is 
.