12 killed as suicide blast tears through Islamabad’s G-11 Court Complex

• Explosion hits G-11 district courts amid major global events in capital
• Rescuers, health authorities confirm 12 dead, 36 injured as attacker targets police vehicle
• Interior minister vows swift identification, hints at foreign hand
• PM blames ‘Fitna al-Hindustan’, orders full investigation
• Eyewitnesses describe 'massive blast' and vehicles engulfed in flames
• Hospitals on emergency footing as PIMS receives 36 injured
• Security tightened across Islamabad, Rawalpindi and judicial complexes

ISLAMABAD: Twelve people were killed and 36 injured on Tuesday in a suicide blast outside the district and sessions court building in Islamabad’s G-11 area, according to officials.

The incident occurred as major international events were being hosted in the capital, including the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference and the 6th Margalla Dialogue, while a cricket match between the Green Shirts and Sri Lanka was also being held in Rawalpindi.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, while briefing the media outside the court, said the “suicide blast” occurred at 12:39pm. He stated that 12 people were killed and 27 injured, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was personally monitoring the medical response.

Later, a spokesperson for the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), Dr Mubahshir Daha, confirmed that “12 people have been martyred in the blast” and the number of injured had risen to 36.

“Following the attack, an emergency has been declared at PIMS, and medical assistance to the injured is underway,” the spokesperson said. “All resources are being utilised to assist the injured.”

اسلام آباد خودکش دھماکے کی سی سی ٹی وی فوٹیج سامنے آ گئی، حملہ آور نے پولیس کی گاڑی کے قریب خود کو اُڑایا۔۔!! pic.twitter.com/WNF4LuOSvn

— Khurram Iqbal (@khurram143) November 11, 2025

The PIMS spokesperson added, “Thirty-six injured people were brought to PIMS, out of which 18 have been discharged after treatment, while 14 have been moved to wards, three are in the emergency section, and one is in the operation theater.”

In the evening, Health Minister Mustafa Kamal visited the injured at PIMS and directed hospital staff to provide the best possible care.

‘Perpetrators will bear consequences’

Providing details of the blast, Naqvi said CCTV footage showed the attacker standing outside the court for around 12 minutes before detonating the explosives.

“He first attempted to go inside the court, but then targeted the police vehicle after he was unable to do so,” he said.

Naqvi said identifying the attacker was the top priority. “I assure you we will identify him in the next few hours,” he said. “We are linking this blast today with a lot of things and, in the coming hours or days, we will be very clear about it.”

He noted the symbolic timing of the attack, saying it carried “a lot of messages.” Without directly naming India, he hinted at foreign involvement and said the state would pursue evidence rather than speculation.

“We will go with complete evidence and details. Whoever is involved in this—whether locals or foreigners – we will not spare anyone,” he vowed.

Naqvi confirmed that among the injured were some policemen, while a lawyer was among the casualties.

He added that while several major activities were taking place in the capital, “routine matters are taking place” and there had been no specific alert regarding this attack.

The interior minister also directed that after two weeks, no vehicle without an e-tag would be allowed into Islamabad.

Security around the Judicial Complex, adjoining courts and other sensitive buildings in the capital was tightened, police officials told APP.

‘Massive blast’

Videos circulating online showed flames and thick smoke billowing from a charred vehicle behind a security barrier.

Lawyer Mohammed Shahzad Butt, an eyewitness, described it as a “massive blast.”

“Everyone started running inside out of panic. I have seen at least five dead bodies lying at the front gate,” he told AFP.

Another lawyer, Rustam Malik, said: “I heard a loud bang at the gate. It was complete chaos… I saw two dead bodies lying on the gate, and several cars were on fire.”

‘Nefarious act of India’, ‘wake-up call’

PM Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the bombing “by the khawarij active with Indian support and the Fitna al-Hindustan,” a federal government statement said. He demanded the injured be given the best treatment and ordered a full investigation.

The statement accused India of instigating both the Islamabad blast and an attack in Wana, calling them “the worst examples of Indian state terrorism in the region.”

President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed condolences and paid tribute to law enforcement agencies.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif termed the attack a “wake-up call.”

“We are in a state of war… today’s suicide attack at the Islamabad district courts is a wake-up call,” he said, adding that expecting successful negotiations with Kabul in such circumstances was “futile.”

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said attacks such as those in Islamabad and Wana were “not possible without the use of Afghan soil or facilitation.”

“Whenever we arrest terrorists or their handlers, Afghan nationals are among them,” he told Geo News. He added that “there is a nexus between India and Afghanistan” and warned that “this conspiracy between the Indian and Afghan-backed Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan will fail.”

Security high alert in Rawalpindi

Following the blast, Rawalpindi Police issued a high alert.

Security around the ongoing Pakistan–Sri Lanka ODI was further tightened. Citizens complained that existing development projects and diversions were already causing severe traffic disruptions.

Naqvi, also the PCB chairman, later visited the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and said the Sri Lankan team was being accorded “state guest” security.

Condemnations

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar condemned the attack and directed a province-wide security alert.

KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi, KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi and NA Speaker Ayaz Sadiq issued separate condemnations, stressing unity against terrorism.

Legal fraternity demands action

Senior lawyers, including Hamid Khan and Munir A. Malik, expressed deep concern and called for national cohesion. The SCBA passed a resolution condemning the attack and demanding swift justice.

International reactions

British High Commissioner Jane Marriott advised UK nationals to monitor travel advisories.

The United States, the European Union, China and Qatar all condemned the attack, extended condolences and reaffirmed their support for Pakistan’s stability and counterterrorism efforts.