A suicide bombing outside Islamabad’s District and Sessions Court left at least 12 dead and more than 30 injured, marking a sharp escalation of violence in the capital. The attack occurred while Pakistan was simultaneously dealing with another crisis. Hundreds of cadets were being held hostage in Wana after an explosives-laden vehicle rammed a military college gate. Despite providing no evidence, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif blamed India for both incidents, amid heightened regional tensions and a separate deadly explosion in New Delhi a day earlier.
Where did the blast happen?
The explosion struck the main entrance of the District Judicial Complex in Islamabad. A facility that hosts thousands of litigants and lawyers daily. The attack took place shortly after 12:30pm on a major city artery, roughly 15km (9 miles) from Pakistan’s key political institutions, including Parliament and the Supreme Court.
Has anyone claimed responsibilty?
The militant faction Jamaa-ul-Ahrar, a splinter group of the TTP, claimed responsibility for the attack, although the TTP denied any involvement. While Pakistan has seen periodic violence from the TTP in recent years, Islamabad has largely remained peaceful, and no attack of this scale had occurred in the capital since 2022.
What did witnesses see?
Witnesses described scenes of panic as thousands attempted to flee the complex. Lawyers present said the blast shook the courtyard and that the bomber’s remains landed inside the compound. The main gate was quickly jammed, forcing evacuees to use secondary exits as chaos spread through the area.
What is the wider context
The attack comes during a period of intense strain in Pakistan–Afghanistan relations. Recent cross-border clashes, failed security talks, and Pakistan’s accusations that the Taliban shelter the TTP, BLA and ISKP have heightened tensions. Regional powers such as China, Iran and Russia have urged the Taliban to act against the TTP. Pakistani officials now warn that the country is effectively in a “state of war,” with rising internal security threats.
Why is India being blamed?
Sharif’s accusations reflect a shifting geopolitical environment. As Pakistan’s ties with the Taliban deteriorate, India has increased its diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan, a reversal of its earlier position. Pakistan alleges Indian support for insurgent groups operating on its soil, claims that India denies. The car explosion in New Delhi that killed 13 people added further fuel to political rhetoric on both sides.
What do experts say?
Experts caution that unresolved tensions with Afghanistan could trigger more urban attacks in Pakistan. The TTP has the capability to strike major cities but has focused on weakening state control in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Analysts warn that, should conflict escalate, Pakistan may face retaliatory attacks targeting key installations and symbols of state authority.
Reference
Hussain, A. (2025, November 11). Pakistan says ‘India proxies’ behind Islamabad bombing: What we know so far. Al Jazeera. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/11/11/pakistan-says-india-proxies-behind-islamabad-bombing-what-we-know-so-far