Afghan Daesh Mastermind Arrested in Islamabad Mosque Bombing Investigation
Islamabad: Investigations into the suicide bombing at a mosque and Imambargah in the federal capital are ongoing, with security and police sources revealing a series of significant and disturbing details about the attacker’s movements, planning and network.
According to investigators, the suicide bomber opened fire before detonating his explosive vest. Sources said the attacker fired two shots while approaching the site and another six rounds inside the mosque hall before carrying out the suicide blast. The explosion involved approximately four kilograms of explosives, packed with a large quantity of ball bearings to maximize casualties.
Security officials said the attacker had already been wearing the suicide jacket when he departed from Nowshera and traveled to Islamabad using public transport. Before the attack, he reportedly spent a short time at a nearby hotel and then walked on foot via Khanna Road to reach the mosque.
Sources further disclosed that the attacker conducted reconnaissance of the mosque on February 2. Prior to this, he had traveled to Afghanistan in May and returned in June. After coming back from Afghanistan, he activated a new mobile SIM card in Bajaur.
The suicide bombing took place on February 6 at Imambargah and Masjid Khadijat-ul-Kubra in Islamabad’s Tarlai area, killing 33 people and injuring more than 150 others.
Security sources said a major breakthrough has been achieved in the investigation. Intelligence and law enforcement agencies conducted raids in Peshawar and Nowshera, leading to multiple arrests. These operations were carried out on the basis of technical surveillance and human intelligence, resulting in the arrest of four facilitators linked to the suicide bomber.
According to security officials, the mastermind of the Islamabad suicide attack was an Afghan national affiliated with the banned militant organization Daesh, who has also been arrested.
Police sources said the National Forensic Agency and NADRA are assisting investigators in evidence collection and verification. Empty bullet casings recovered from the crime scene confirmed that the attacker fired a total of eight shots before detonating the explosives inside the mosque hall.
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