Security measures in Islamabad were intensified on Wednesday following a suicide bombing that prompted officials to commit to stopping the surge in deadly attacks.
The attack, which occurred near district court buildings on Tuesday, was claimed by a Pakistani Taliban faction, notorious for orchestrating attacks across the nation.
On Wednesday, the district court remained closed, while security was heightened at other judicial buildings citywide, causing long vehicle lines at checkpoints.
A policeman searches a man at a Lahore court entrance on November 12, 2025, following Islamabad’s suicide bombing. — AFP
“Our military, police, and all law enforcement agencies are alert and on duty. The question is, where are these attacks originating, and how are they executed?” asked Fazal Satar, 58.
The suicide attack, which was the first in the capital in nearly three years, resulted in 12 deaths and 27 injuries.
“It was an extremely powerful blast,” said Muhammad Imran, a 42-year-old police officer injured in the event.
“It was a sudden boom, and I felt like I was thrown to the ground,” he shared with AFP.
Sharjeel Ahmed, a 26-year-old student, expressed concern over the impact on foreign investment and Pakistan’s capacity to host international sports events.
“This is a significant security failure, and we must learn from it. Continued attacks will erode global trust,” he stated.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Zardari convened for security discussions shortly after the incident.
“Both leaders reaffirmed their dedication to continue operations against foreign-backed terrorists and their enablers until terrorism is fully eliminated,” a statement from the president’s office noted.
– Fear Among Judiciary –
Islamabad has consistently accused Afghanistan’s Taliban leadership of harboring the Pakistani Taliban, a claim denied by Kabul.
The Taliban government expressed “deep sorrow & condemnation” over the suicide attack and another assault on a military-run college in Wana, near the Afghan border.
A Pakistani security source, requesting anonymity due to lack of authorization to speak publicly, revealed that all Cadet College Wana recruits were rescued after a raid that killed five militants.
The Pakistani Taliban, or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), primarily targets Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province near Afghanistan.
Last month’s intense cross-border clashes resulted in over 70 deaths, including numerous Afghan civilians, according to the UN.
The TTP has threatened further attacks in Pakistan until Islamic law is enforced in the Muslim-majority nation.
Hafiz Mazhar Malik Javeed, a lawyer mourning the loss of a colleague in the bombings, expressed fears for the future.
“Judges and lawyers are frightened,” the 45-year-old stated at the cemetery.
“We fear they might target us again soon.”
