ISLAMABAD: Authorities have arrested the Afghan mastermind behind the suicide bombing in Islamabad, security sources confirmed.
The attacker, linked to the banned ISIS organization, carried out the deadly attack in the suburban area of Tarlai Kalan, killing 33 people and injuring over 150 others at Imam Bargah and Khadijah-ul-Kubra Mosque.
According to officials, significant progress was made in the investigation through coordinated intelligence and law enforcement operations in Peshawar and Nowshera, resulting in the capture of four facilitators who aided the suicide bomber.
Security sources stated that the operations were carried out using both technical surveillance and human intelligence, leading to the identification and arrest of the key Afghan orchestrator.
The Islamabad attack has been described as one of the deadliest in recent years, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by terrorist networks in the region.
Authorities have made significant progress in the investigation of the suicide bombing at an Imam Bargah in Islamabad, police sources confirmed.
A raid conducted at the attacker’s home in Peshawar led to the arrest of two brothers, a brother-in-law, and a woman connected to the suspect. Investigators recovered the suicide bomber’s identity card at the blast site, which identified him as Yasir, with a permanent address in Abbas Colony, Shirojangi Charsadda Road, Peshawar, and a current residence in Ganj Mohalla, Qazian, Peshawar.
Authorities revealed that the attacker had spent five months in Afghanistan, where he received training in weapons handling and suicide bombing techniques.
Police have launched additional raids in Peshawar and Nowshera to track down the bomber’s network and accomplices, while the investigation continues into all aspects of the incident, including contacts and facilitators linked to the attack.
Officials said that further critical evidence is expected during the investigation, which will shed more light on the background of the terrorist act in Islamabad.
Meanwhile, one more injured person has succumbed to wounds from the suicide bombing at Khadijah-ul-Kubra Mosque and Imam Bargah in Tarlai, Islamabad, raising the death toll to 33, hospital sources confirmed.
According to hospital officials, the bodies of all 33 victims have been handed over to their families. Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) received 149 casualties from the blast, including 28 deceased and 121 injured.
After overnight medical treatment, 64 injured patients remain at PIMS, with 20 in critical condition and 9 in the ICU. Injuries are being treated in Surgical Ward 1 and Surgical Ward 4, while 13 other patients are under care at Polyclinic Hospital.
The attack, which occurred yesterday in Tarlai, Islamabad, targeted the Imam Bargah and Khadijah-ul-Kubra Mosque, leaving the community in shock and prompting ongoing investigations.