KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The Taliban strongly condemned the suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, on Friday, which killed at least 31 worshippers and injured nearly 170 others.
The attack took place around 1 pm local time at Imambargah Khadijah-tul-Kubra in the Tarlai Kalan area of Shehzad Town, southeastern Islamabad, during Friday prayers. Police confirmed it was a suicide attack, with the bomber detonating explosives after being challenged at the entrance.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
In a statement posted on X, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson for the Taliban foreign ministry, said the attack was in contradiction to Islamic and humanitarian values.
“The Islamic Emirate [Taliban] considers attacks that violate the sanctity of mosques and sacred religious rites, and target worshippers and civilians, to be in contradiction to Islamic and humanitarian values, and hence condemns them in the strongest terms,” Balkhi said. He extended condolences to the families of the victims and wished a swift recovery to those injured.
Pakistani leaders also denounced the attack. President Asif Ali Zardari called targeting innocent civilians a “crime against humanity” and ordered a full investigation. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to identify and punish those responsible.
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif suggested India and Afghanistan were involved, posting on X that “it has been proved the terrorist involved in the attack travelled to and from Afghanistan. The collusion between India and Afghanistan is being revealed.”
The attack follows a suicide bombing outside a district court in Islamabad’s G-11 area on November 11, 2025, which killed 12 people and injured more than 30, and was later claimed by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Pakistan has faced a surge in militant attacks in recent years, particularly near the Afghan border. Groups including the TTP and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) have increasingly targeted security forces, government buildings, and civilians. According to the Islamabad-based Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), 2025 was the deadliest year in recent history, with 699 attacks nationwide resulting in at least 1,034 deaths and 1,366 injuries.
Islamabad accuses the Taliban of sheltering and supporting the TTP, BLA, and affiliated groups, enabling cross-border attacks. The Taliban denies these allegations, saying no militant groups operate from Afghan territory and that Pakistan’s internal security is its own responsibility.
