PM Shehbaz announces compensation for families of martyrs and injured in Islamabad suicide attack

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited the Imambalgah Khadijatul Kubra in Tarlai on Wednesday. He met with the mosque administration and the families of the martyrs and announced financial help for those affected by the suicide attack.

At least 36 people were killed and around 169 injured when a suicide bomber attacked Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra last Friday. The explosion, followed by more explosions and gunshots, occurred as worshipers had gathered for Juma’a prayers.

The attack was the deadliest in Islamabad in more than a decade and the most destructive nationwide since the Peshawar mosque bombing in January 2023.

Read more: Attacker identified as ‘Afghanistan-trained’ Peshawar resident

During his visit to Imambargah, the Prime Minister announced Rs 10 million for Shaheed Oun Abbas, who resisted the suicide bomber and lost his life, Rs 5 million for each martyr, Rs 3 million for those seriously injured and Rs 1 million for those who suffered minor injuries. “There can be no compensation for the precious lives lost in this terrorist attack,” Shehbaz said.

Prime Minister Shehbaz met the bereaved families and survivors. Speaking to the affected families, he said the entire nation was mourning the tragic loss of life, which included both the elderly and children.

Describing the attack as “the worst kind of barbaric act”, he strongly condemned it and stated that the more it was condemned, the less so it would be. He also praised the religious leaders and ulama for their solidarity, which has always helped thwart the nefarious designs of the enemies.

“Shaheed Oun Abbas, who sacrificed his life in the line of duty, will be remembered with golden words,” Shehbaz said, stressing that such sacrifices in the fight against terrorism would not be in vain. He added that the attack’s attempt to sow division in society had failed miserably.

The Prime Minister also praised the armed forces, law enforcement agencies and police for their relentless fight against terrorism, particularly in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, where they have made significant sacrifices. He prayed for the complete elimination of terrorism in the country.

The Prime Minister offered Fateha and prayed for Shuhadaa. He also prayed for the immediate recovery of those injured in the horrific incident. Later, he also visited Shaheed Oun Abbas’ residence to offer Fateha and his condolences.

Federal ministers, police and regional administration officials accompanied the Prime Minister during the visit and briefed him on the details of the incident.

A day after the blast, Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that the mastermind behind the attack on an Islamabad imambaga was in custody.

At a news conference in Islamabad after a high-level security meeting, the interior minister confirmed the arrests and said one police officer had been martyred and three injured. Naqvi described Friday as a “black day” for the country and provided updates on the investigation and arrests.

“Following the blast, all our agencies took the lead. Operations continued throughout the night. The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police (KP) arrested almost all the individuals linked to the attack or the masterminds behind it,” he said.

Also read: Daesh-linked Afghan mastermind of Imambagah attack in Islamabad arrested

He praised the efforts of the CTD and KP police teams in locating and arresting the culprits.

“Immediately after the blast, a raid was carried out in Nowshera and Peshawar, and four facilitators were arrested. The mastermind of ISIS, an Afghan national, was also captured. During the raid, an assistant sub-inspector of KP police was martyred. The mastermind, linked to ISIS, is in our custody,” Naqvi said.