Pakistani ministers attribute deadly suicide attack to Indian state terrorism but India denies claim
Pakistan has opened an investigation into the suicide attack that killed 12 people outside district court buildings in Islamabad, after the prime minister made unsubstantiated claims that “Indian state terrorism” was behind the blast.
The attack took place in the middle of the day on Tuesday as the area was thrumming with people. The bomber made several attempts to get inside the buildings before detonating a device next to a police car, killing 12 people and injuring 27.
It underscored the security challenges facing Pakistan as it grapples with a surge in terrorist activity.
The attack was claimed initially by the Pakistan Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). In a statement, the group said it had targeted “un-Islamic judges and lawyers”, though TTP’s spokesperson later denied the group was behind the attack.
