The planning of the Islamabad court suicide attack took place in Kabul, carried out by Noor Wali Mehsud, Information and Broadcasting Minister Atta Tarar revealed on Tuesday.
Addressing a press conference, Minister Tarar said that it was important to understand the motives behind the Islamabad court attack. He added that significant progress had been made in the investigation. “The security arrangements at the Islamabad court were strong, which prevented the terrorists from reaching high-value targets,” he said.
The federal minister stated that within 48 hours, the Intelligence Bureau and the Counter Terrorism Department arrested four suspects: Sajidullah alias Sheena, Kamran Khan, Muhammad Zali, and Shah Munir. Sajidullah was the handler of the attacker and had joined the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA) in 2015.
Atta Tarar said Sajidullah received multiple training sessions in Afghanistan and coordinated with Noor Wali Mehsud through a commander named Dadullah to plan the attack. In August 2025, Sajidullah and Muhammad Zali traveled to Kabul, where Sajidullah met Dadullah under Noor Wali Mehsud’s direction to finalize the attack plan.
He added that the entire planning of the Islamabad court suicide attack was conducted in Kabul. Sajidullah then returned to Pakistan and met with the suicide bomber, Usman Shinwari, who had also come from Afghanistan. The explosive vest was provided to Shinwari, a resident of Nangarhar, Afghanistan. Sajidullah and Shinwari conducted reconnaissance of multiple locations together.
The minister emphasized that due to strong security arrangements, the attacker could not reach his high-value target, preventing large-scale casualties.
He further clarified that all individuals involved in the Islamabad court attack were from Afghanistan, and the Tehrik-i-Taliban in Afghanistan carried out the attack in coordination with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.
“Pakistan’s armed forces continue to make daily sacrifices while fighting terrorists, and all necessary measures are being taken to protect civilians,” Tarar said.
The minister also noted that evidence would be presented before the public, relevant forums, and friendly countries.
According to a video statement played during the press conference, Sajidullah revealed further details of the attack’s execution. He said he first went to Afghanistan in 2016, met Abu Hamza, and returned to Pakistan after receiving one month of training. In 2023, he visited Kunar, met Abu Hamza again, and then went to Dadullah’s hideout, where he was brainwashed and forced to take an oath of allegiance.
Six months ago, Dadullah instructed him to return to Afghanistan with his friend Muhammad Zali. They met Dadullah in Jalalabad, who tasked them with transporting the suicide jacket to the bomber. Sajidullah said they brought the jacket to Peshawar, leaving it with Shah Munir for safekeeping.
Later, Usman arrived from Afghanistan and stayed with Sajidullah briefly, before Munir arranged his accommodation through his cousin Zali. On November 11, the day of the attack, Sajidullah, Zali, and Munir helped Usman put on the suicide jacket.
The attack, which occurred on November 11, killed 12 people and injured 35. A few days later, the government arrested four militants associated with the TTP in connection with the attack.
