A suicide attack outside Islamabad's Judicial Complex claimed 12 lives and injured 27 on Tuesday afternoon, according to Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The bomber detonated an explosive-laden jacket near a police vehicle after failing to enter the court premises due to stringent security checks.
First responders rushed victims to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, with officials warning the death toll might rise as several remain critically injured. Forensic teams are analyzing body parts recovered from the blast site to identify the attacker.
"The explosion occurred during court recess when many were outside," said lawyer Malik Khalid Khan, who witnessed the attack. Nearby vehicles caught fire, with debris scattered across the high-security zone typically frequented by legal professionals and civilians.
While no group has claimed responsibility, security sources told media outlets the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), based in Afghanistan, likely orchestrated the attack. Authorities have evacuated the complex and launched area-wide search operations as investigations continue.
