ISLAMABAD / PAKISTAN: A powerful explosion tore through the outer perimeter of the district and sessions court complex in G-11 on Tuesday, killing twelve people and shaking the capital’s sense of security. The blast struck near the main entrance, where a vehicle suddenly caught fire behind a security barrier before erupting into a devastating explosion that sent shockwaves across the area.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as smoke engulfed the gate, vehicles burned, and people rushed to escape. Lawyer Rustam Malik, who had just parked his car when the explosion occurred, said the impact threw the area into chaos. “I saw two bodies lying near the gate. Cars were on fire. People were running in every direction,” he recounted.
Initial reports suggest the blast originated from a vehicle stationed close to the court’s gate, though investigators have yet to confirm whether it was a suicide attack or a planted device. No group has claimed responsibility so far. The sensitive nature of the location has raised serious questions about security lapses, especially in a zone considered heavily guarded.
Rescue teams and law-enforcement agencies swiftly sealed off the area, diverting traffic and launching a wide-ranging investigation. The incident has prompted urgent conversations about rising security threats and the vulnerability of public institutions even in the heart of the federal capital.
Legal bodies, rights groups and civic leaders condemned the attack, calling it an assault on justice and public order. Many warned that such violence undermines not only the judicial system but also the confidence of ordinary citizens who depend on state institutions for protection and due process.
As inquiries continue, the city remains on edge, waiting for answers and accountability as families mourn the twelve lives lost in one of Islamabad’s deadliest recent attacks.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.