ISLAMABAD: Four facilitators of the Islamabad suicide bombing were taken into custody on Saturday. The security officials arrested the facilitators during coordinated raids in Peshawar and Nowshera on Saturday. The death toll in the suicide bombing increased to 33 on Saturday.
The arrests followed intensified investigations into the deadly suicide explosion at a mosque in Islamabad’s Tarlai area, which killed 31 people and left dozens injured.
According to officials, intelligence-led operations pinpointed the suspects’ locations, prompting swift action by security personnel. As a result, authorities detained the facilitators without resistance and shifted them to undisclosed locations for further interrogation.
Investigators believe the suspects played key logistical and operational roles in enabling the attacker, including movement, shelter and coordination.
Meanwhile, officials said the arrests marked a significant breakthrough in the case, as investigators continued to piece together the wider network behind the attack. Security agencies stressed that the operation formed part of a broader campaign to dismantle militant support structures operating across different regions.
Daesh network linked to planning
Furthermore, officials revealed that the mastermind behind the attack is an Afghan Daesh commander who has also been apprehended. According to security sources, the planning, training, and radicalisation of the suicide bomber took place under Daesh-linked networks based in Afghanistan. Authorities said these networks provided ideological guidance and operational support before directing the attacker to assault Islamabad.
Security officials warned that terrorist elements operating under the supervision of the Afghan Taliban continue to pose a serious threat to regional peace and stability. They added that militant groups exploit cross-border sanctuaries to plan and execute attacks, making coordinated counterterrorism efforts essential.
In response, police officials reiterated their commitment to sustaining intelligence-based operations against terrorist groups and their facilitators.
Officials said security forces remain on high alert and will continue targeted operations to prevent future attacks. They vowed to dismantle the remaining cells of the militants connected to the Islamabad suicide attack.
