At least 12 people were killed and around 20 others injured in a powerful explosion outside a court building in Islamabad on Tuesday afternoon. The blast took place in the parking area near the Islamabad High Court, shaking the capital city which is usually known for its tight security and restricted access zones.
Police and rescue teams quickly reached the site after the explosion. Ambulances rushed the injured to the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital, where doctors confirmed the death toll and said several of the wounded were in serious condition.
According to an initial report from security officials, the explosion is suspected to be a suicide attack. Investigators are examining the scene and collecting evidence to determine the exact nature of the blast. The area around the judicial complex has been sealed off, and heavy police deployment has been made to prevent any further incident. 
President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack in a statement, describing it as a “suicide blast” and expressing deep sorrow over the loss of lives. He called the act cowardly and said that the perpetrators would be brought to justice. “Such attacks cannot weaken our resolve against terrorism,” the statement said.
The explosion occurred in one of the most secure parts of Islamabad, where several government offices and courts are located. Entry into the capital is already heavily monitored through checkpoints and security zones. The blast has raised fresh concerns over the safety of key institutions in the city.
A security source quoted by CNN claimed that the attack was carried out by militants linked to the Afghan Taliban and India. However, no group has officially claimed responsibility so far.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said the country was in a “state of war” and urged all political and security agencies to take the incident as a wake-up call. “This attack shows that we cannot take peace for granted,” he posted on X, adding that Pakistan must reassess its talks and relations with neighboring Afghanistan.
