The casualty count from the explosion at an Imambargah in Islamabad has increased sharply as rescue efforts continue and more victims are accounted for. The district administration has provided a grim update on the scale of the tragedy.
The explosion struck Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra Imambargah in the Tarlai neighborhood as worshippers gathered, with eyewitnesses saying a suicide bomber detonated prematurely after being stopped at the gate.
According to a spokesperson for the district administration, the total number of people who have lost their lives in the blast has risen to 31; meanwhile, the number of injured individuals brought to various hospitals has surged to 169.
An emergency remains in effect at PIMS, Polyclinic, and CDA Hospital to manage the high volume of victims.
Rescue teams sealed the site, and one resident shared relief that his father skipped prayers that day and stayed home safe. The rare attack in the capital highlights ongoing security issues amid sectarian tensions.
Medical Emergency Declared
In response to the influx of victims, a state of emergency has been imposed across the capital’s major medical facilities to ensure immediate life-saving treatment.
Security forces and police contingents have cordoned off the area surrounding the Imambargah.
Forensic teams are reportedly on-site to determine the nature of the explosion, while the surrounding neighborhoods have been placed under strict surveillance to prevent further incidents.
