Pakistani authorities have rounded up four suspects over an explosion at a Shia mosque in Islamabad that left more than 30 dead. The blast, which targeted Friday prayers, was claimed by the Islamic State group.
Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan's interior minister, announced the arrests on Saturday. Among those detained is an Afghan national believed to be the mastermind behind the attack. One counter-terrorism officer died and three others were injured during raids to apprehend the suspects.
Eyewitnesses described seeing bodies scattered across the ground after the blast. More than 160 people were injured in the explosion, which was the deadliest in the capital for over a decade.
Ashiq Hussain, whose nephew was among those killed, told Reuters his family had been 'broken' by the tragedy. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed 'deep grief', while President Asif Ali Zardari described targeting civilians as a 'crime against humanity'.
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has suggested that Afghanistan may have been involved in the attack, prompting criticism from Afghan officials.
The blast is part of a recent wave of violence, with 58 civilians killed in coordinated attacks in Balochistan province last week. The military has said it has killed over 200 militants in response to these incidents.
Mohsin Naqvi, Pakistan's interior minister, announced the arrests on Saturday. Among those detained is an Afghan national believed to be the mastermind behind the attack. One counter-terrorism officer died and three others were injured during raids to apprehend the suspects.
Eyewitnesses described seeing bodies scattered across the ground after the blast. More than 160 people were injured in the explosion, which was the deadliest in the capital for over a decade.
Ashiq Hussain, whose nephew was among those killed, told Reuters his family had been 'broken' by the tragedy. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed 'deep grief', while President Asif Ali Zardari described targeting civilians as a 'crime against humanity'.
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has suggested that Afghanistan may have been involved in the attack, prompting criticism from Afghan officials.
The blast is part of a recent wave of violence, with 58 civilians killed in coordinated attacks in Balochistan province last week. The military has said it has killed over 200 militants in response to these incidents.
can't believe we're seeing these types of attacks on civilians all the time it's like they think they can just come in and start harming people whenever they want...and no one seems to be doing anything about it yet 
i feel so sorry for the families who lost loved ones, 30+ people dead is just heartbreaking 
and another thing, afghan officials are already denying any involvement? it's like they're trying to spin this away or something 
doesn't anyone want to take responsibility for what's happening in their own country anymore? 
pakistan is goin thru so much tragedy rn and my heart just breaks for all the innocent ppl affected by this heinous blast 
fyi, this whole thing makes me think afghanistan needs 2 take responsibility 4 their own nationals involved in terrorism 
. Four suspects caught, great, but what's the point? The real mastermind is probably still out there planning more attacks... and we'll just have to wait for another bloodbath 
. it's heartbreaking to think about all the lives affected by this senseless act of violence. 
pakistan is already dealing with so much, and this tragedy must be adding up to be too much for many people... my thoughts are with everyone who's struggling to cope with this news 
I can only imagine how traumatic it must be for the families of those who were killed or hurt. The fact that someone thought they could just go into a mosque and blow it up is just... 
I do feel for the Afghan officials being criticized - like, are we really going to point fingers at each other in times of tragedy? 
This attack on the Shia mosque is really shocking and tragic... I mean, what's going on with this Islamic State group? 
They're claiming responsibility, but how could they just plan and execute an attack like that without being caught for ages? It's like they have some kind of underground network. And to think that over 30 people lost their lives and many more were injured... it's heartbreaking 
.