China on Sunday strongly denounced the recent attack on a mosque in Islamabad, expressing solidarity with Pakistan and pledging support for the government’s efforts to ensure national security and stability.
In a statement, China’s foreign ministry said it was “deeply shocked” by the deadly blast in Islamabad that resulted in heavy loss of life. “China mourns the victims and extends heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, while wishing a speedy recovery to the injured,” the statement said. The ministry added that China firmly opposes terrorism in all its forms and fully supports Pakistan in safeguarding the safety of its people and maintaining stability.
The condemnation followed the suicide bombing at Imambargah and Mosque Khadijat-ul-Kubra in Islamabad’s Tarlai area during Friday prayers. The attack left at least 33 worshippers martyred and dozens more injured.
According to investigators, the suicide bomber opened fire before detonating himself at the entrance of the imambargah. Authorities recovered an identity card from the blast site, identifying the attacker as Yasir, 32, a resident of Peshawar, as per records of the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra).
Investigators said the suspect had been living in Afghanistan for the past five months, where he allegedly received training in weapons handling and suicide bombing techniques.
Details of the Islamabad Mosque Attack Emerge
Further investigation revealed that the attacker fired two shots on his way to the mosque and six more inside the prayer hall before triggering the explosion. Sources said the suicide jacket contained approximately four kilograms of explosives, along with a large number of ball bearings to maximise damage.
Authorities added that the attacker reportedly donned the suicide vest in Nowshera and travelled to Islamabad using public transport. Before carrying out the attack, he allegedly spent some time at a nearby hotel and then walked to the mosque from Khanna Road.
Investigators also disclosed that the suspect conducted reconnaissance of the mosque on February 2. He had travelled to Afghanistan in May and returned in June, after which he activated a new mobile SIM card in Bajaur.
Islamabad Mosque Attack Mastermind Arrested
A day earlier, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that the mastermind behind the attack, linked to the banned militant group Daesh, had been arrested along with several facilitators. Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, he said the arrests were made during raids carried out in Peshawar and Nowshera shortly after the blast.
Naqvi alleged that terrorist networks involved in the attack were fully funded by India and that targets were being provided from across the border. He added that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, had apprehended all individuals connected to the incident.
During the operations, a KP police officer was martyred, while several others sustained injuries, the minister said.