ISLAMABAD _After a three-year gap, a suicide attack in Pakistan’s capital has sent shockwaves across the country, rattling security agencies, citizens, and the international community. On Monday afternoon, a blast in the Islamabad District Court claimed the lives of at least 12 people and injured more than 35, including two police officers. Preliminary forensic reports indicate the attacker used approximately 8–10 kilograms of explosives, enhanced with ball bearings and metal fragments to maximize casualties.
Failed Attempt on Wana Cadet College
Earlier, militants attempted a similar assault on Wana Cadet College, mirroring the 2014 APS Peshawar attack. Over 600 students were present, but security forces successfully thwarted the attack, ensuring the safety of all students and staff.
Stalled Pakistan-Afghanistan Talks
The attack comes amid the collapse of the third round of Pakistan-Afghanistan negotiations. Despite talks in Doha and Istanbul, both sides failed to agree on a joint strategy against terrorism. Pakistan maintains that the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operates from Afghan soil to carry out attacks in Pakistan. In 2025 alone, there have been over 4,300 terrorist incidents in Pakistan, resulting in more than 1,000 deaths, primarily in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. The Islamabad blast marks a new escalation in risk for the country’s otherwise secure capital.
Official Statements
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, visiting the site, said, “Our primary priority is to identify the attacker. All evidence points to possible links with Afghan territory.” He added that 23 terrorist incidents occurred in Pakistan over the past two months, 17 of which were planned from Afghanistan. Meanwhile, the Afghan Taliban government denied Pakistan’s accusations, stating that Afghan soil is not being used for attacks against any country.
Islamabad: A Target for Militants
Islamabad has faced major attacks in the past, including the 2014 district court blast that killed 11 and the 2008 Marriott Hotel bombing, claiming over 60 lives. Security experts say the recent attack signals a systematic attempt to demonstrate that militants can now strike Pakistan’s federal capital.
Rising Threats in South Asia
The wave of terrorism reinforces concerns over a “hidden war” in South Asia, where militant groups exploit political and diplomatic weaknesses to intensify their operations. Without a unified stance between Pakistan and Afghanistan, major cities remain vulnerable, and the Islamabad attack could mark the beginning of a new surge in terrorism. The pressing question is no longer where the next attack will occur but whether Pakistan is on the brink of a new wave of terrorism with Islamabad’s recent blast potentially signaling its onset.
