Four Suspects Linked to Islamabad Imambargah Bombing Arrested in KP Raids

BY Sadia Khan :

Security forces have arrested four suspected facilitators linked to the recent suicide bombing at an Islamabad imambargah, following coordinated operations carried out in Peshawar and Nowshera on Saturday, according to security officials.

During the operations, a police officer was killed in action, while three other members of the security forces sustained injuries. Among those detained is an alleged Afghan national described as a key planner of the attack and reportedly connected to the banned Islamic State (IS) group.

Officials said the raids were launched on the basis of both technical surveillance and human intelligence as part of the wider investigation into the deadly attack. Law enforcement agencies are continuing efforts to track down all individuals involved in planning and facilitating the bombing.

The suicide attack, which targeted worshippers during Friday prayers at Imambargah Qasr-i-Khadijatul Kubra on the outskirts of Islamabad, claimed at least 36 lives and left dozens more injured.

Security sources confirmed that multiple arrests were made in both Peshawar and Nowshera during intelligence-led operations.

Operation in Nowshera

In Nowshera, the raid took place in the Hakeemabad area. Police officials said that an exchange of gunfire occurred when security personnel attempted to apprehend suspects believed to be linked to the attack.

An officer from Nowshera police, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that an assistant sub-inspector was martyred, while a constable was wounded during the confrontation.

He added that the operation was carried out by multiple law enforcement agencies working jointly and was part of a broader crackdown against networks supporting the Islamabad bombing. Further operational details were not disclosed due to security concerns.

The recent attack marks the deadliest incident in the capital since the 2008 suicide truck bombing at the Marriott Hotel, which killed 60 people.

It also follows another suicide blast in November 2025 outside the district and sessions court in Islamabad’s G-11 sector, where 12 people were killed and over 30 injured.