Funeral prayers offered for the martyrs of the suicide attack on Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
Funeral prayers for the martyrs of the Tarlai imambargah terrorist attack were offered on Saturday at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra and Jamia-e-Sadiq in Islamabad amid tight security.
Sheikh Muhammad Shifa Najafi, cleric of Imambargah Jamia-e-Sadiq, led the funeral prayers. A large number of people attended, including Inspector General of Police Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi. Imamia Scouts presented a ceremonial salute to the martyrs, while police maintained heavy deployment and enforced strict security measures. All participants were thoroughly searched before entry.
Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir, IG Rizvi, former adviser to the prime minister Nadeem Afzal Chan, and several political and social figures were present. Relatives of the martyrs also took part in the prayers.
Speaking before the funeral, Allama Raja Nasir said, “We are peaceful people. This is not a Sunni-Shia issue,” adding, “we will never forget this attack on the Imambargha.” He also said, “We pray for the recovery of the injured.”
Read: Blast reported in imambargah in Islamabad
At least 32 people were killed and around 169 others injured when a suicide bomber struck the Imambargah in Islamabad’s Tarlai area during Friday prayers, according to authorities and hospital officials. The blast occurred at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra on the outskirts of the capital, with explosions and gunfire reported as worshippers gathered for Jumma prayers.
The attack was the deadliest in Islamabad in more than a decade and the deadliest nationwide since the Peshawar mosque bombing in January 2023.
Officials have identified the attacker as Yasir Khan, a resident of Peshawar, who is believed to have travelled to Afghanistan multiple times and received militant training. Investigations are ongoing.
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Federal and local officials, including police and rescue teams, rushed to the scene after the blast. Hospitals across Islamabad were placed on emergency alert to treat the injured.
Political and civilian leaders condemned the attack as a “crime against humanity” and vowed to bring those responsible to justice. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives and extended condolences to the families of the victims.
