Minister of State for Interior, Talal Chaudhry, confirmed on Wednesday that the suicide bomber responsible for the Islamabad district and sessions court attack was “not a Pakistani national.” The incident, which occurred on Tuesday in the G-11 area, claimed 12 lives and left 36 injured.
The attack coincided with several international events in the capital, including the first one-day international (ODI) cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. On the same day, security forces conducted a clearance operation at Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan to target terrorist hideouts.
Initial Investigation Points to Foreign Links
Speaking in an interview, Chaudhry elaborated that the attacker did not understand Pakistan’s language nor the currency. “The suicide attacker in Islamabad was not Pakistani. I am confirming this. He did not know our language or currency,” he said, citing findings from the preliminary investigation.
The minister added that the assailant had rented vehicles to travel to Islamabad, and interactions with locals revealed his unfamiliarity with the country’s systems. While further details remain restricted to protect the ongoing investigation, Chaudhry emphasized that the evidence points toward foreign involvement, specifically linking the incidents to Afghanistan and India.
Security Officials Consider Retaliatory Measures
Following the blast, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that Pakistan might target terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan. He stressed that the attacks necessitate a strong response to prevent further aggression.
“There should be no illusions that the Afghan Taliban are sincere in pursuing peace with Pakistan. The Kabul administration is fragmented, with various groups pursuing different agendas. Some are linked to India, and some operate under external influences,” Asif explained.
The minister warned that both the Islamabad blast and previous attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could signal prelude actions for larger aggression orchestrated from Afghan soil, indirectly influenced by India.
Investigations Continue Amid Heightened Security
Authorities are analyzing the bomber’s movements and connections to uncover the networks facilitating these attacks. Efforts are underway to trace individuals who assisted him in moving to Islamabad.
Meanwhile, Pakistan has strengthened security measures around key public areas and ongoing international events. Officials urge citizens to remain vigilant while cooperating with law enforcement authorities.
The government continues to maintain that no Pakistani nationals were involved in the suicide attack, reinforcing concerns over cross-border terrorism and highlighting the need for coordinated regional security measures.
