A deadly Islamabad blast shook Pakistan’s capital on Monday, leaving at least 12 people dead and many injured. The explosion took place at the entrance of a district court complex, sending shockwaves across the city. Local residents reported hearing the sound from a considerable distance, reflecting the intensity of the explosion. Several of the wounded are said to be in critical condition, according to local reports.
Police have confirmed the Islamabad blast, but the exact cause has not yet been determined. A police spokesperson stated, “We are aware of the explosion. The forensic team has reached the site. Only after the examination can we confirm the nature of the blast.” The explosion at such a high-security zone has raised serious concerns about internal security mechanisms in the capital.
Meanwhile, in a separate incident the same day, an army convoy was attacked in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the volatile province bordering Afghanistan. According to administration sources, 16 Pakistani security personnel were injured when a roadside explosion targeted the military convoy near Dera Ismail Khan. The troops from the Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps were returning to their post when the attack occurred.
This latest convoy attack comes amid a recent surge in militant activity in the region. Just hours before the convoy strike, a suicide bombing outside a college in another part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa injured six people. Local security officials suspect the involvement of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group known for its repeated assaults on military and civilian targets.
The TTP has become one of the most active insurgent groups in Pakistan. Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan claims the group has gained strength, alleging that many of its leaders operate from Afghan soil. Afghanistan’s Taliban government denies this.
The province continues to face repeated terror strikes, many of which have been claimed by the TTP. Gun battles between militants and Pakistani security forces in the region are frequent, and attacks on convoys have become increasingly common. Recently, another major explosion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa killed at least 24 people, highlighting the severity of instability in the region.
With both the Islamabad blast and the Khyber convoy attack occurring on the same day, security experts worry that a coordinated escalation may be underway. The incidents have triggered heightened alert across government offices, military installations, and major public areas.
For now, investigations are underway—both at the Islamabad blast site and in the border province. The coming days may clarify whether the two attacks are connected, but what remains clear is that Pakistan’s internal security environment has once again entered a tense and volatile phase.
