Islamabad Suicide Bombing: Probe Identifies Suspected Attacker, Links Under Scrutiny

Amid the ongoing investigation, authorities continue to trace the sequence of events that left 31 people killed and many injured in a deadly suicide bombing at Islamabad’s Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra.

Officials have identified the suspected attacker as a resident of Peshawar who allegedly underwent militant training in Afghanistan, local media reported on Saturday.

According to the initial findings shared by those associated with the investigation, Yasir Khan Yasir, identified as the attacker, had reportedly stayed in Afghanistan for about five months before returning to Pakistan, leading Pakistani daily The Express Tribune reported.

Investigating officials are also probing the potential connections between the suspect and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP); however, authorities have underlined that the investigation is still at a preliminary stage and no conclusions have been reached.

Sources said Yasir Khan, reportedly influenced by the Salafi school of thought, is likely to have undergone militant training during his stay across the border.

“He received training at the Mansoor Istashhadi training centre in Afghanistan’s northeastern Kunar province and travelled to and from the country multiple times,” sources told The Express Tribune.

Officials said they are working to unveil the broader network that may have facilitated the attack, including identifying possible handlers, logistical supporters, and any domestic or cross-border links that could have played a role in the operation.

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry also corroborated the suicide bomber’s identity and said forensic analysis of the remains established it.

“He is not an Afghan citizen, but forensic examination of the remaining parts of his body has provided information about how many times he had travelled to Afghanistan,” he said.

India Condemns Attack

India also strongly condemned the suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad, extended condolences to the victims’ families, and rejected Pakistan’s allegations as ‘baseless,’ saying they were an attempt to divert attention from its internal challenges.

Also Read: Islamabad Blast Kills 15, Injures Dozens As BLA Claims Ongoing Operation