China Condemns Islamabad Imambargah Attack, Reaffirms Support for Pakistan

China has strongly condemned the deadly attack on an imambargah and mosque in Islamabad, reaffirming its support for Pakistan’s efforts to maintain national security and stability.

In a statement issued on Sunday, China’s Foreign Ministry said it was deeply shocked by the explosion and the resulting loss of life. The ministry expressed condolences to the families of the victims and sympathy for those injured in the attack.

“China strongly condemns the attack, opposes all forms of terrorism, and firmly supports the Pakistani government in safeguarding national security and stability and protecting the safety of the people,” the statement said.

The condemnation followed the suicide attack at Imambargah and Mosque Khadijat-ul-Kubra in Islamabad’s Tarlai area during Friday prayers, which left at least 33 people dead and dozens injured.

According to investigators, the suicide bomber opened fire before detonating himself at the entrance of the imambargah. Authorities said the suspected attacker’s identity card was recovered from the blast site, identifying him as Yasir, 32, a resident of Peshawar, based on records from the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra).

Investigators said the attacker had been living in Afghanistan for the past five months, where he reportedly received training in the use of weapons and suicide bombing.

Four Kilograms of Explosives Used

Investigations into the attack are ongoing, with officials revealing further details. According to sources, the attacker fired two shots along the way and six more inside the hall before detonating the explosive device.

Sources said approximately four kilograms of explosive material were used in the attack, and the suicide jacket contained a large number of ball bearings. The attacker allegedly wore the suicide vest in Nowshera and travelled to Islamabad via public transport.

Investigators said he briefly stayed at a nearby hotel before walking to the mosque from Khanna Road. Authorities also revealed that the attacker conducted reconnaissance of the mosque on February 2.

Officials added that the suspect had travelled to Afghanistan in May and returned in June, after which he activated a new mobile SIM card in Bajaur.

Mastermind, Facilitators Arrested

A day earlier, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that the mastermind of the attack, linked to the banned militant group Daesh, had been taken into custody along with the attacker’s facilitators.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, the interior minister said the mastermind and facilitators were arrested in raids carried out in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Peshawar and Nowshera districts shortly after the blast.

He said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Counter Terrorism Department, along with other security agencies, conducted the operations jointly. During the raids, one police officer was martyred while several others sustained injuries, he added.