Car Explodes Outside Islamabad Court, 12 Dead in Deadly Blast

Islamabad, Pakistan – A powerful explosion outside a local court in Pakistan’s capital left at least 12 people dead and several others injured on Tuesday afternoon, throwing the area into chaos. Authorities have not confirmed the cause of the blast, though local media reports suggested a gas cylinder may have detonated inside a parked vehicle.

The blast struck a typically bustling area outside the court premises, damaging multiple vehicles and injuring mostly people who had come for hearings. Witnesses recalled the terrifying moment. Rustam Malik, a lawyer present at the scene, described the scene: “It was complete chaos, lawyers and people were running inside the complex. I saw two dead bodies lying on the gate and several cars on fire.”

Emergency services rushed to the site, evacuating the injured to nearby hospitals while securing the area for forensic investigation. Police have remained tight-lipped about the details as the probe is underway.

Security Concerns Amid Rising Attacks
The Islamabad blast comes just a day after Pakistani security forces thwarted an attempted hostage attack at an army-run college in Wana, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A suicide bomber and five militants targeted cadets overnight, but two attackers were killed, and the remaining three were cornered without any casualties among students or staff. The assault left around 16 civilians and troops injured and caused significant damage to nearby houses.

Wana has long been considered a hub for Pakistani Taliban and other extremist groups, making security operations critical. Authorities are now investigating whether Tuesday’s blast is linked to militant activity or an accidental explosion.

Cross-Border Context
The Islamabad blast coincides with rising concerns over cross-border terrorism, coming a day after a parked car exploded near Delhi’s Red Fort in India, killing 13 people. Investigations revealed that the suspect behind the Delhi blast was Umar Un Nabi, a doctor from Jammu and Kashmir, highlighting the continued regional threat of vehicle-based attacks.

Security agencies across Pakistan and India are on high alert, reviewing protocols in public areas and courts, as authorities continue to probe the Islamabad incident and ensure the safety of civilians in crowded urban spaces.