ISIS claims responsibility for Islamabad suicide bombing on Shia Shrine ; Fuels Debate

The Islamic State group (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing at a Shia shrine in Islamabad that killed at least 69 people and injured more than 170, marking one of the deadliest sectarian attacks in Pakistan in recent years. The blast occurred during a religious gathering, triggering panic and mass casualties as emergency services rushed victims to nearby hospitals.

Pakistani authorities have condemned the attack as an act of terrorism targeting religious harmony and vowed a nationwide security crackdown. Interior ministry officials said an investigation is underway involving counterterrorism units and intelligence agencies. Security has been tightened around major shrines and public religious sites across the country amid fears of follow-up attacks.

ISIS released a statement through affiliated channels claiming its suicide operative carried out the assault as part of its ongoing campaign against Shia communities. Analysts note that the group has repeatedly targeted sectarian sites in South Asia in an attempt to inflame religious tensions and destabilize governments.

The attack has also triggered intense online speculation across the region, with some commentators in Afghanistan and India questioning the geopolitical context and security failures surrounding the incident. Pakistani officials have rejected such narratives, calling them misinformation that distracts from counterterrorism efforts.

Regional security experts warn that sectarian violence risks spilling beyond borders if extremist networks are not dismantled. International observers have urged intelligence cooperation and community protection measures to prevent retaliatory violence.

Funeral processions for victims are underway under heavy security as the country observes mourning, while authorities continue their search for facilitators linked to the bombing.