Deadly Islamabad bombing sharpens focus on cross-border attacks in Pakistan

Al JazeeraCenterEN 5 min read 100% complete by Abid HussainFebruary 7, 2026 at 11:42 AM

AI Summary

long article 5 min

A suicide bombing at the Khadija Tul Kubra Mosque, a Shia place of worship in Islamabad, Pakistan, killed over 30 people on Friday, February 6, 2026. The attack, which occurred during Friday prayers, injured 169 others. A splinter faction of ISIL (ISIS) claimed responsibility, alleging the attacker had traveled from Afghanistan. Pakistani officials have made arrests in connection to the bombing, including family members of the attacker. Analysts warn the bombing could inflame sectarian tensions and represents the deadliest operation by ISIL's Pakistan branch since its formation. The attack marks the second major bombing in Islamabad in recent months, following a period of relative calm.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Peshawar 40% Balochistan 40% Karachi 40% Khawaja Asif 50% Abdul Sayed 50% Afghanistan ×360% Khadija Tul Kubra Mosque 60% Shia ×270% ISIL (ISIS) ×280% Islamabad ×790% Pakistan ×1090%

Keywords

islamabad bombing 100% suicide bombing 90% pakistan 90% sectarian tensions 80% mosque attack 80% cross-border attacks 70% isil (isis) 70% shia mosque 60% security landscape 60% afghanistan 50%