ISLAMABAD: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Thursday confirmed that the suicide bomber who struck the Islamabad Judicial Complex on Tuesday was “related to Afghanistan,” underscoring the cross-border dimensions of the attack that killed 12 people and injured more than two dozen.
Speaking in the Senate, Naqvi described the incident as a “very serious concern” and revealed that law enforcement agencies had apprehended both the mastermind and a facilitator behind the bombing, along with seven additional suspects believed to have facilitated the strike.
The facilitator was arrested in Rawalpindi’s Dhoke Paracha area, where he had been conducting reconnaissance of key sites in and around the Judicial Complex. The handler, who coordinated the operation from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), was also detained. Both suspects were moved to undisclosed locations for interrogation as authorities mapped the broader network behind the attack.
Naqvi highlighted the wider pattern of militant activity, linking the Islamabad attack to previous incidents, including the suicide bombing at Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan on November 10.
“It is becoming very difficult for us; the way people from Afghanistan are coming here and attacking us,” he said, adding that Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and Defence Minister Khawaja Asif had also been briefed. He emphasized that illegal Afghan nationals residing in Pakistan were being systematically identified and removed.
The Rawalpindi Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) arrested seven suspected facilitators from Fauji Colony, Dhoke Kashmirian, and parts of KP. Investigations revealed that one of the facilitators had assisted the bomber using a ride-hailing service, with his movements confirmed through CCTV footage.
The suicide bomber attempted to enter the Judicial Complex in G-11 just after noon on Tuesday but detonated himself beside a police vehicle when access was denied.
The victims included court visitors, lawyers, and staff, highlighting the symbolic target of Pakistan’s legal infrastructure. Witnesses described chaotic scenes of burning vehicles and scattered bodies near the entrance.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif termed the attack a “wake-up call” and warned that Pakistan was “in a state of war,” asserting that militant networks were increasingly operating from Afghan territory with strategic intent. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif vowed a resolute response, stating that “the perpetrators will be brought to justice” and that the blood of innocent citizens would not go unavenged.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry confirmed that the bomber was not a Pakistani national, noting that he was unfamiliar with local language and currency, further emphasizing the cross-border nature of the attack.
The bombing coincided with several high-profile events in Islamabad, including the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference and the 6th Margalla Dialogue, as well as a cricket match in nearby Rawalpindi. Security officials immediately elevated measures across both cities, deploying additional personnel and checkpoints in sensitive areas.
The attack follows a series of militant strikes in the region, including the Wana Cadet College incident and a bomb blast targeting a security convoy in Dera Ismail Khan, which injured at least 14 personnel. Analysts say the trend reflects a shift in militant tactics from frontier regions to urban centers, aiming to create a climate of fear and challenge state authority in Pakistan’s capital.
Following the arrests, Interior Minister Naqvi received a call from Bahrain’s Interior Minister Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, who strongly condemned the attack and expressed unwavering support for Pakistan in combating terrorism.
Authorities continue to focus on tracing financial and logistical networks, mapping facilitators and handlers, and securing sensitive installations across Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The incident underscores the hybrid nature of Pakistan’s security challenges, with threats emerging both internally and from cross-border networks.
