Khawaja Asif says mosque attackers are enemies of Islam, links terror plot to India and Taliban nexus
Islamabad, Pakistan — Web Desk: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has strongly condemned the Islamabad suicide bombing, declaring that the state will respond with full force to what he described as a brutal act of terrorism targeting innocent worshippers.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Khawaja Asif said that those who martyred worshippers inside a mosque are enemies of Islam and the nation. He revealed that investigations have confirmed the attacker’s cross-border movement to and from Afghanistan, raising serious security concerns.
The defence minister further claimed that links between India and the Taliban are emerging, alleging that India is waging a proxy war against Pakistan after facing a humiliating defeat.
“India no longer has the courage to fight a direct war and is now using proxies,” he stated.
According to initial reports, security guards challenged the attacker at the mosque entrance. In response, the assailant opened fire before detonating himself in the last row of worshippers during Friday prayers.
The deadly suicide blast in Islamabad’s Tarlai area occurred at Masjid and Imambargah Khadijat-ul-Kubra, resulting in 31 martyrs and multiple injuries. Eyewitnesses reported hearing gunshots moments before the explosion.
Following the blast, police, army units, and Rangers cordoned off the area, while all injured victims were shifted to PIMS and Polyclinic hospitals, where an emergency was declared.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing, and security has been heightened across the capital amid fears of further attacks.
