Funerals Held for 31 Victims of Mosque Attack in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD — Funerals for the victims of the devastating suicide bombing at the Imambargah Qasr-i-Khadijatul Kubra are being held today, Saturday, February 7, 2026. The attack, which targeted worshippers during Friday prayers in the Tarlai area, claimed at least 31 lives and left more than 169 injured.

The assault is the deadliest to strike the federal capital since the 2008 Marriott Hotel bombing, signaling a grave escalation in sectarian and militant violence.

The “IS” Link and Bomber’s Identity

Security agencies have made rapid progress in identifying the perpetrator through forensic and biometric data.

• Identity Confirmed: The suicide bomber has been identified as a resident of the Gunj area in the walled city of Peshawar. His identity was verified via the NADRA database using the severed head found at the scene.
• Militant Affiliation: Preliminary investigations by Islamabad and KP police link the attacker to the Islamic State (IS). The group officially claimed responsibility for the attack via its Telegram channel late Friday.
• Cross-Border Movement: Investigators revealed the bomber had traveled to Afghanistan multiple times recently. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed these findings, suggesting the attack was planned in cross-border sanctuaries.
• Raids and Arrests: Security forces have conducted raids in Nowshera and Peshawar, reportedly picking up several relatives of the suspect for interrogation.

Accounts of Heroism at the Gate

Witnesses and survivors described a chaotic scene where volunteer security guards potentially averted a much higher death toll.

• The Confrontation: Worshipper Imran Mahmood told AFP that volunteers engaged the bomber in a gunfight at the entrance.
• Critical Intervention: An injured volunteer reportedly managed to fire at the attacker, hitting him in the thigh as he tried to force his way into the main prayer hall.
• The Detonation: Unable to move further inside, the bomber detonated his explosives at the gate. “The attacker was stopped at the gate and detonated himself,” a security source confirmed.

Security Alert and Emergency Response

• Emergency Declared: An emergency remains in effect at all federal hospitals, including PIMS and Polyclinic, where dozens of victims remain in critical condition.
• Capital Lockdown: Security has been “beefed up” across the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. High-alert status has been issued for all religious sites, with additional police deployments at mosques for today’s funeral services.
• US Embassy Alert: The United States Embassy in Islamabad issued a security alert for its citizens, advising them to avoid large gatherings and monitor local media.

Timeline of Recent Major Attacks in Islamabad

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