02/07/2026, 09:0402/07/2026, 09:04
The terrorist organization Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for the deadly attack on a Shiite community center in Pakistan. The IS mouthpiece Amak announced this via Telegram. A photo was also distributed there that is said to show the suicide bomber. The information could not initially be independently verified.
At least 31 people were killed in the attack during Friday prayers in a suburb of the Pakistani capital Islamabad. According to authorities, around 170 more people were injured.
The suicide bomber initially opened fire on security forces in front of the building complex, a police spokesman said, citing eyewitnesses. The assassin then detonated an explosive belt in the community center.
Repeated violence in nuclear power Pakistan
In recent years there has been an increase in violence and attacks in the nuclear power Pakistan – but attacks in major cities are considered rare. Last weekend, dozens of people were killed in fighting between security forces and suspected terrorists at various locations in the troubled Baluchistan province. In other parts of the country, the IS terrorist militia has carried out attacks against Shiites, whom they consider to be apostates from Islam.
Shiite Muslims make up around 20 percent of the South Asian country’s nearly 250 million inhabitants. (sda/dpa)