Islamabad, Feb 6 (NationPress) A tragic incident unfolded as over 15 individuals lost their lives and more than 80 others sustained injuries following a devastating explosion at an imambargah in the Tarlai area of Islamabad during Friday prayers, igniting widespread panic across the capital, as reported by local media.

According to a spokesperson for the District Administration, the death toll from the blast in the federal capital has unfortunately risen to 15. The spokesperson also noted that the number of injured individuals receiving treatment at various hospitals throughout the city has surpassed 80. A representative from PIMS hospital confirmed that 32 of the injured were specifically taken to their facility, as highlighted by Pakistan's Express Tribune.

The report indicated that the blast was audible from a significant distance, leading to the immediate sealing off of the explosion site to collect vital evidence.

Preliminary investigations suggest that a possible suicide bombing may have occurred, although officials are yet to affirm the exact motive. This incident in Islamabad coincides with a troubling surge of recent attacks throughout Pakistan, including several deadly assaults in Balochistan targeting both security forces and civilians. Earlier on November 11, another attack outside the Islamabad Court resulted in at least 12 fatalities and injuries to over 36 others, as reported by the newspaper.

Another prominent daily pointed out that this attack coincides with the two-day official visit of the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev.

The spokesperson for the Islamabad Capital Territory Police, Taqi Jawad, mentioned that it is premature to determine the nature of the blast, emphasizing that forensic teams would need to establish whether it was a suicide attack or a planted bomb, as reported by Dawn.

Local officials, as quoted by Geo News, indicated that the suicide bomber detonated themselves after being halted at the mosque entrance.

Pakistan has witnessed a string of deadly attacks in the past week as the Baloch fighters initiated Operation Herof-2 targeting Pakistani security forces. Earlier this week, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed to have expanded its territorial control in Balochistan's Nushki district by seizing a Pakistani Army camp in the Ahmad Wal area following its previous takeover of a local base in the Galangur region.

These developments followed the BLA's announcement of coordinated attacks under the banner of Operation Herof, which aimed at multiple locations simultaneously. As per the group, attacks were executed in Quetta, Nushki, and at least 12 additional cities across Balochistan.

Since the second phase of Operation Herof commenced on January 31, the BLA has reportedly inflicted casualties on several Pakistani army personnel.

Meanwhile, The Balochistan Post reported that local residents have claimed that Pakistani forces are intentionally targeting populated civilian areas, raising serious concerns regarding potential civilian casualties.