A deadly blast occurred after Friday prayers ('jumma namaaz') at the Tarlai Imambargah in Shehzad Town, within Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad on February 6. Over 70 people have lost their lives and a large number of injuries have been reported. Eyewitness accounts describe people fleeing in panic as rescue and security efforts intensified. Police and Rescue 1122 teams immediately arrived at the blast spot and began rescue operations, while security was tightened in nearby sensitive areas.
Emergency services were quickly mobilised, with an emergency imposed at major medical facilities in the capital, including Polyclinic, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) and CDA Hospital, to manage a potential influx of casualties. Dawn and other media houses reported that the blast’s impact was felt across a radius of several kilometers, with residents hearing the explosion up to five kilometers away. The incident occurred after 2:00 pm (friday prayers), prompting ongoing investigations to determine the cause and the exact casualty figures.
The Islamabad blast follows deadly Balochistan attacks by the Balochistan Liberation Army, which killed 36 civilians- including women and children- and 22 security personnel. BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch declared on February 5 that "Operation Herof II" persists into its sixth day, dismissing Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations claims of its end as propaganda. The group insisted the operation continues with determination, consistency, and success, urging dismissal of state media assertions until BLA announces closure, as they misrepresent ground realities.
