Suicide Blast Rocks Islamabad Judicial Complex: Pakistan Defense Minister Warns “Country at War

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Islamabad: A deadly suicide bombing outside the G-11 Judicial Complex in Islamabad has sent shockwaves across Pakistan. The explosion, which occurred around 12 PM on Tuesday, killed at least 12 people and injured dozens more. Eyewitnesses reported that the blast took place near the main building of the District and Sessions Court, where a suicide attacker detonated explosives near a police vehicle. Viral videos on social media show burning cars, thick smoke, and panicked crowds fleeing the scene. Security forces quickly cordoned off the area, and bomb disposal units are investigating.

Defense Minister Calls It a Wake-Up Call
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif described the attack as a “wake-up call” for the nation, warning that the country is in a state of war. He stated, “Those who think Pakistan’s military is fighting only along the Afghan-Pakistan border or in remote areas of Balochistan are mistaken. Today’s suicide attack shatters that illusion.”

Terrorism Resurging in Urban Areas
Asif warned that terrorism is once again surfacing in urban centers, emphasizing that dialogue with the Taliban, who govern Kabul, is now meaningless under the current circumstances. The blast’s sound reportedly carried up to six kilometers, terrifying residents and damaging vehicles across the complex.

Eyewitness Accounts
Lawyer Rustam Malik, present at the time, told Dawn that chaos erupted immediately after the explosion. “As soon as I parked my car, there was a massive blast. People were running for their lives. I saw at least two bodies at the gate, and several vehicles were on fire,” he said. Preliminary reports suggest that the attacker attempted to enter the court premises but detonated at the gate due to the vigilance of security personnel.

Presidential Condolences
President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack as a suicide bombing and expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured.

Authorities continue to investigate the incident, examining security lapses and tracing the possible perpetrators of this brazen urban terrorist attack.