Deadly mosque blast in Islamabad kills at least 31 during Friday prayers

A powerful explosion tore through a mosque in Pakistan’s capital during Friday prayers, killing at least 31 people and injuring more than 160 others, according to local authorities.

The blast occurred inside a Shia mosque in the Taralai area of Islamabad, a residential district on the city’s outskirts. Worshippers were gathered for weekly prayers when the explosion went off, causing widespread panic and structural damage inside the mosque.

Emergency services rushed the injured to nearby hospitals, where authorities declared medical emergencies to handle the influx of casualties. Police and security forces quickly cordoned off the area as investigators began examining the scene.

Initial findings suggest the attack may have been carried out by a suicide bomber, though officials say the investigation is ongoing and no group has immediately claimed responsibility.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, calling it an act of terrorism and expressing condolences to the families of those killed. Sectarian violence has periodically targeted religious minorities in Pakistan, prompting repeated calls for stronger security at places of worship.