32 worshippers martyred as suicide bomber strikes Rawalpindi mosque

At least 32 worshippers were martyred and more than 150 others injured when a suicide bomber detonated himself at a mosque’s gate during Friday prayers in Rawalpindi, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal confirmed the toll, saying 28 dead bodies were brought to the PIMS Hospital while four dead bodies were shifted to Polyclinic Hospital.

Meanwhile, all the PIMS Hospital has handed over all 28 dead bodies to their relatives after legal procedure was completed.

Police said the bomber exploded himself when he was stopped at the gate of the mosque, located in the suburbs of Rawalpindi.

Sources in the police said the suicide bomber belonged to Fitna al-Khwarij.

A number of people were injured in the powerful explosion. Police and rescue personnel have rushed to the site and started rescue operation.

An emergency has been declared in the federal capital’s Polyclinic, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), and CDA Hospital.
The injured were being shifted to Pims and Polyclinic Hospital.

More than 50 injured worshippers mostly serious were brought to PIMS for treatment. The PIMS administration activated main emergency, arthopaedic, burn centre and neuro department.

The district administration spokesperson said the site of the blast has been completely sealed off by security personnel, and added assistant commissioners have been assigned to oversee the treatment of the injured at various hospitals.

Following the incident, Inspector General of Police Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi imposed an emergency in the federal capital and directed all relevant departments to remain on high alert.

The blast site was completely sealed, while bomb disposal and investigation teams collected evidence. The official said citizens were urged to remain calm and cooperate with law enforcement agencies as the probe continues.

President Asif Ali Zardari extended condolences to the victims who lost their lives in the blast, according to a statement issued by the PPP on X.

He expressed grief over the incident, saying, “Targeting innocent civilians is a crime against humanity”.

The president prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and directed that all possible medical facilities be provided to them.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the blast at a mosque. The prime minister expressed "deep grief" and "strongly condemns" the blast that also wounded at least 80 people, a statement said.

He also instructed the health minister to ensure immediate medical treatment for the injured and asked him to personally monitor the relief efforts.

He stressed that no one would be allowed to create chaos and unrest in the country.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif sees footprints of India and Afghanistan behind the recent terrorist attack in the federal capital.  

The defence czar said the preliminary investigations confirmed the terrorist involved in the attack had travelled to Afghanistan multiple times.

“After suffering a humiliating defeat [last year in May], India is [now] waging war through proxies as it no longer has the courage to fight directly,” he added.

The minister vowed that the state would respond to this brutality with full force.

Addressing a press conference, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry has said that the suicide bomber has been identified.

“The suicide bomber was not an Afghan national but had visited Afghanistan multiple times,” he added.

The minister said the terrorists were targeting soft targets, adding that IG Islamabad’s cousin was among those martyred in the suicide blast.

The suicide bomber’s identity was confirmed through the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) record, said police sources.

“The suicide bomber hailed from Peshawar and was 32 years old,” the sources added.

Reporters Babar Shahzad Turk and Awais Kiyani