ISLAMABAD: Investigators have uncovered that the suicide bomber behind the Islamabad judicial complex blast had earlier attempted to target the Faizabad checkpoint but failed to detonate his explosives, according to sources familiar with the probe.
During questioning of the attacker’s handler and facilitator, officials learned that the bomber reached the Faizabad checkpoint days before the judicial complex blast. However, he was unable to remove the pin of the explosives and abandoned the attempt. Sources said he then returned to Rawalpindi and carried out the attack at the judicial complex a few days later.
The explosion at the Islamabad Judicial Complex left 12 people dead and at least 36 injured, including lawyers and petitioners, forcing the suspension of court proceedings. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the bomber detonated near a police vehicle after failing to enter the court premises. The blast ignited nearby vehicles and scattered debris across the area.
According to a police investigation report, the attacker arrived in Islamabad last Friday and travelled to the judicial complex from Pirwadhai on a motorcycle. The attack marked the capital’s first suicide bombing since December 2022 and occurred at a time when Islamabad was hosting major international events, including the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference and the sixth Margalla Dialogue.
Authorities have since arrested four members of a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan/Fitna al-Khawarij (TTP/FAK) cell linked to the bombing. Sajidullah, known as Sheena, confessed to handling the bomber and said he was directed by Afghanistan-based TTP/FAK commander Saeed-ur-Rehman, also known as Daadullah. Investigators say Daadullah instructed the group through Telegram to launch an attack aimed at inflicting maximum casualties on law enforcement agencies.
Officials said Daadullah sent photos of the bomber, Usman alias Qari, to Sajidullah for identification. Qari, a member of the Shinwari tribe from Achin in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, entered Pakistan before Sajidullah arranged his stay near Islamabad. The suicide jacket, investigators added, was collected from the Akhun Baba graveyard in Peshawar and later strapped onto the attacker on the day of the blast.
The attack took place amid growing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over cross-border militancy, which recently sparked clashes along the frontier. A day before the Islamabad bombing, militants infiltrated Wana Cadet College, prompting a security operation that killed the attackers and safely evacuated all students and staff.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif later warned that Pakistan may carry out strikes inside Afghanistan if cross-border attacks continue, accusing the Afghan Taliban of sheltering the militants responsible for recent violence.
