Funeral prayers offered for martyrs of Imambargah suicide bombing Khadijah al-Kubra. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
Funeral prayers for the martyrs of the Tarlai Imambargah terror attack were offered at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra and Jamia-e-Sadiq in Islamabad on Saturday amid tight security.
Sheikh Muhammad Shifa Najafi, cleric of Imambargah Jamia-e-Sadiq, led the funeral prayers. A large number of people were present, including Islamabad Inspector General of Police Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi. Imamia scouts performed a salute ceremony to the martyrs, while police maintained a massive deployment and enforced strict security measures. All participants were thoroughly searched before entering.
Opposition leader Allama Raja Nasir, IG Rizvi, former advisor to Prime Minister Nadeem Afzal Chan and several political and social figures were present. Relatives of the martyrs also took part in the prayers.
Speaking before the funeral, Allama Raja Nasir said: “We are a peaceful people. This is not a Sunni-Shia issue,” adding: “we will never forget this attack on the Imambergha.” He also said: “We pray for the recovery of the injured.”
Read: Explosion reported at Imambargah in Islamabad
At least 32 people were killed and around 169 others injured when a suicide bomber struck the Imambargah in Islamabad’s Tarlai area during Friday prayers, according to authorities and hospital officials. The blast occurred in Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra, on the outskirts of the capital, with explosions and gunshots reported as worshipers gathered for Jumma prayers.
The attack was the deadliest in Islamabad in more than a decade and the deadliest nationwide since the Peshawar mosque bombing in January 2023.
Authorities identified the attacker as Yasir Khan, a resident of Peshawar, who reportedly traveled to Afghanistan several times and received militant training. Investigations are ongoing.
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Federal and local officials, including police and rescue teams, rushed to the scene after the explosion. Hospitals in Islamabad were placed on emergency alert to treat the injured.
Political and civilian leaders condemned the attack as a “crime against humanity” and pledged to bring those responsible to justice. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sadness over the loss of lives and offered condolences to the families of the victims.
