New Delhi, Feb 6 (NationPress) India has issued a strong condemnation of the tragic suicide bombing that took place at a Shia mosque in Islamabad on Friday, expressing heartfelt condolences for the lives lost and categorically dismissing Pakistan's claims as “baseless” and a diversion from its internal challenges.

Pakistani officials quickly attributed the incident to external forces. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi indicated potential connections between the bomber and Afghanistan, although he did not provide any supporting evidence.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's office echoed similar sentiments, framing the bombing as part of a broader series of attacks orchestrated by foreign entities.

In reaction, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs released a statement, stating: “The bombing at an Islamabad mosque earlier on Friday is condemnable and India condoles the loss of life it has caused. It is unfortunate that, instead of seriously addressing the problems plaguing its social fabric, Pakistan should choose to delude itself by blaming others for its home-grown ills. India rejects any and every such allegation, which is as baseless as it is pointless.”

The explosion at the Khadija Tul Kubra mosque in the Tarlai Kalan area of Islamabad resulted in at least 31 fatalities and 169 injuries during Friday prayers, according to officials in Pakistan.

Witnesses described hearing gunfire prior to the blast, with a suicide bomber detonating explosives among a crowd of worshippers.

Emergency protocols were activated at hospitals across the capital as rescue teams worked to transport the injured, with some in critical condition.

Officials, including Pakistan's parliamentary affairs minister Tariq Fazal, visited patients at Polyclinic Hospital to reassure families of the provision of necessary medical support and facilities.

Health authorities noted that several victims remained in critical condition, raising concerns that the death toll may increase.

The coordinated response to the incident involved police, rescue services, and security personnel sealing off the blast site while prioritizing rapid medical assistance to reduce further loss of life. No group has yet claimed responsibility, though the attack stands as one of the deadliest in Islamabad in recent years, echoing previous sectarian violence against Shia Muslims.

This incident has attracted international condemnation, with calls for comprehensive investigations. Diplomatic sources suggest no immediate escalation, but it highlights the fragile dynamics in South Asia.