Security and intelligence agencies have arrested four facilitators and the Afghan mastermind linked to the deadly suicide bombing at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra in the Trilai Kalan area, marking a major breakthrough in one of the deadliest attacks in the federal capital in over a decade.
According to investigators, the suicide bomber has been identified as Yasir, a resident of Peshawar. Authorities earlier arrested his two brothers — Bilal and Nasir — and his brother-in-law Usman from the Tarnab Farm area, while his mother was detained from a house in a posh sector of Islamabad.
Coordinated Raids in KP Lead to Arrests
Security sources said intelligence-based operations were conducted in Peshawar and Nowshera, based on technical surveillance and human intelligence. These coordinated raids led to the arrest of four key facilitators connected to the attacker. In addition, the Afghan national identified as the Daesh mastermind who planned and orchestrated the attack has also been taken into custody.
Investigations revealed that the planning, training, and ideological indoctrination of the bomber were carried out by Daesh elements operating from Afghanistan. Security officials stated that under the patronage of the Afghan Taliban, Daesh and other Khwarij groups continue to pose a serious threat to regional and global peace.
During the operation, one security personnel embraced martyrdom, while three others sustained injuries. Authorities said intelligence-based operations against Khwarij networks are ongoing and will continue until all threats are neutralised.
Reconnaissance, Training and Modus Operandi
According to security sources, Yasir conducted reconnaissance of the imambargah prior to the attack and had visited the mosque at least a week earlier. He reportedly stayed in Afghanistan for around four months before returning to Pakistan.
The National Forensic Agency and NADRA are assisting investigators in evidence collection and verification.
Preliminary findings indicate that the attacker opened fire before entering the mosque and then detonated himself inside the main hall. He was carrying between four and six kilograms of explosives packed with a large number of ball bearings.
Officials said the bomber fired two shots while approaching the mosque and six shots after entering the premises. All bullet casings were recovered from the scene.
Death Toll and Official Confirmation
At least 32 people were killed and around 169 others injured when the suicide bomber struck during Friday prayers. The explosion was accompanied by gunfire, triggering panic among worshippers gathered for Jumma prayers.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry confirmed that the bomber had been identified. “He is not an Afghan citizen, but forensic examination of the remaining body parts has provided information about how many times he travelled to Afghanistan,” he said.
The attack is the deadliest in Islamabad in more than a decade and the most lethal in Pakistan since the Peshawar mosque bombing of January 2023.
