ISLAMABAD: (Yaseen Hashmi) At least 31 people were killed and more than 169 others injured in a suicide bombing outside an imambargah in the Tralayi area of Islamabad, officials said.

The blast occurred near the entrance of the imambargah on Friday, triggering panic and causing heavy casualties among worshippers and nearby residents. Rescue teams and emergency responders rushed to the scene and shifted the injured to multiple hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Hospital officials said several of the wounded remain in critical condition.

Police officials said the attacker was terrorist associated with “Fitna-Al-Khawarij group. According to security sources, the suspect attempted to enter the imambargah but was stopped at the main gate by security personnel. The attacker then detonated explosives strapped to his body, resulting in a powerful explosion that damaged nearby structures and vehicles.

Law enforcement agencies immediately cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to secure the site. Forensic teams collected evidence from the scene, while investigators began probing possible links and facilitators connected to the attack.

A senior district administration official confirmed the casualty figures and said an emergency had been declared at hospitals to ensure immediate medical assistance to victims. Authorities also announced heightened security measures at religious places and other sensitive locations across Islamabad following the incident.