A powerful explosion outside Islamabad’s district court has left at least 12 people dead and several others wounded, sending shockwaves through Pakistan’s capital as investigators scramble to determine the cause.
A devastating blast ripped through the entrance of the Islamabad District Court complex on Tuesday, killing at least 12 people and injuring many more, police confirmed. The explosion occurred in one of the busiest parts of the city, where hundreds of lawyers and litigants were present.
“We are investigating what type of blast it was,” a police spokesperson said, adding that details would be released once forensic reports were available. Eyewitnesses described scenes of horror and panic as smoke and fire engulfed the entrance.
“As I parked my car, I heard a deafening bang near the gate. People were screaming and running for cover. I saw two bodies on the ground and several vehicles burning,” lawyer Rustam Malik told AFP.
Local media broadcast shocking images from the site, showing blood-stained pavements and damaged police vehicles. Authorities have cordoned off the area as rescue teams and bomb disposal units continue their search. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the blast was a terrorist attack or an accidental explosion, but security has been tightened across Islamabad.
