Twelve people were killed and at least thirty-six others wounded when a suicide bomber detonated explosives near Islamabad’s district and sessions court on Monday morning. The blast, which ripped through the G-11 sector, left a trail of devastation that has shaken the capital and sparked an outpouring of grief across the country.
Police said the attacker had been loitering near the court building for several minutes before setting off the explosive device. Rescue teams rushed to the site as smoke and dust filled the air, while terrified witnesses described hearing “a deafening boom” that shattered windows blocks away.
Islamabad’s Inspector General confirmed that investigators are probing possible security lapses, as the attack came just days before several international events were scheduled to take place in the capital. “This was an attempt to spread fear,” he told reporters. “But we will not allow the city’s peace to be destroyed.”
Grief and outrage in the public eye
As news of the blast spread, several Pakistani celebrities took to social media to condemn the violence and mourn the victims. Their messages, raw and heartfelt, captured the nation’s shared sense of despair.
Actor Maya Ali posted on Instagram, “Khudaya reham karo (God, have mercy). So much loss, for what? No one gains anything from this cruelty.”
Veteran actor Adnan Siddiqui shared a similar sentiment, writing that “peace will always prevail over violence,” while rapper Talha Anjum tweeted that militants “cannot be rehabilitated” and urged the government to stand firm against terrorism.
Singer Ali Zafar called the attack “heartbreaking,” adding that “innocent lives continue to pay the price for hatred and extremism.” Many others echoed his words, urging unity and resilience in the face of renewed terror threats.
A city on edge
The explosion has rattled Islamabad, a city often seen as one of Pakistan’s more secure zones. Monday’s blast occurred just a few hundred meters from the judicial complex, one of the capital’s most guarded areas.
Residents reported an unusual calm in the city hours later, with checkpoints tightened and traffic diverted around key government buildings. “It’s not fear exactly,” said one witness, a local shopkeeper. “It’s exhaustion. We’ve been here before, and every time, we ask the same question: why?”
The federal interior ministry has ordered an immediate investigation, and early reports suggest the attack may be linked to militant groups operating in the country’s northwest. Officials have not yet confirmed which organization is responsible.
Remembering the victims
By nightfall, social media was flooded with images of candlelight vigils and messages of solidarity. Hashtags like #PrayForIslamabad, #StopTheViolence, and #PakistanStrong trended nationwide.
Celebrities, journalists, and citizens alike shared one recurring theme: exhaustion from loss, and a desperate longing for peace. “We’ve lost too many lives, too many dreams,” wrote actor Hania Aamir. “How many more before it ends?”
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have vowed to bring those responsible to justice. For now, Islamabad grieves — a city once again haunted by the echoes of violence.
