ISLAMABAD — Funeral prayers were held Saturday for the victims of a suicide bomber who attacked a Shiite Muslim place of worship on the outskirts of Pakistan’s capital, killing at least 31 people and injuring dozens.
Thousands of mourners, including federal ministers and senior officials, attended a mass funeral in Islamabad for those killed in Friday’s attack at Imambarga Khadijah Tul Kubra in Shehzad Town district.
Pakistani authorities said the bomber detonated his explosives after confronting security personnel during Friday prayers, killing at least 31 people and injuring 169 others.
Security officials announced late Friday that four key facilitators involved in the attack were arrested in northwestern Khyber Pakhtankhwa province.
“Last night, at least four key promoters of the Islamabad blast were arrested from Nowshera and Peshawar districts,” a security official told reporters on condition of anonymity.
The official added that a police sub-inspector was killed and five other security and intelligence personnel were injured when militants opened fire on security forces during an operation to apprehend a suspected accomplice in Nowshera.
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Earlier, Deputy Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry said intelligence agencies had identified the suicide bomber and traced his network, adding that an investigation was underway.
“The final report will be submitted to the prime minister within 72 hours,” Chaudhary said.
The bombing was the second major militant attack in Islamabad in less than three months and highlighted growing security concerns in the capital.
International condemnation soon followed. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed solidarity with Pakistan and offered his condolences to the families of the victims.
“Malaysia stands with the people of Pakistan at this time of sorrow,” Anwar said in a post on X.
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon also condemned the attack in a message to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and stressed the need for continued cooperation in the fight against terrorism, according to the Pakistan President’s Office.
Authorities said security has been stepped up in Islamabad as investigations continue into the worst attack to hit the capital in recent months.
