Islamabad, Feb 6 — A suicide bomber detonated explosives at the entrance of an Imambargah in Islamabad’s Tarlai area on Friday during Friday prayers, killing several worshippers and injuring many others, Pakistani media and officials reported.
The blast struck Imambargah Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra as people panicked inside the shrine and rushed to help the wounded.
“The explosion occurred near the main gate when a man attempted to enter the premises and was stopped by guards,” an official said. “He detonated himself at the entrance.”
The injured were shifted to nearby hospitals, including the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and Polyclinic Hospital.
“Several victims have sustained serious injuries and are under treatment,” a hospital official said, adding that the condition of some remained critical.
Eyewitnesses said shattered glass and debris were scattered across the area after the blast.
“There was a loud explosion and people started screaming. Many were bleeding and trying to help each other,” a local resident said.
Videos circulating on social media showed damaged structures around the shrine and worshippers carrying the injured moments after the attack.
Authorities have cordoned off the area and launched an investigation, officials said.