Deadly Explosion Rocks Pakistan's Capital
A devastating suicide bomb explosion struck outside the High Court in Pakistan's capital on Tuesday, November 11, leaving at least 12 people dead and 20 others injured according to hospital authorities.
The powerful blast occurred in the afternoon near the city's busy judicial complex, an area densely populated with high-ranking government offices. A security source confirmed to Reuters that authorities are treating the incident as a suicide attack.
Security Concerns and Official Responses
Pakistan's president immediately condemned what he described as a "suicide blast" near the High Court. The capital city, known for its stringent security measures requiring special clearance to enter and exit, witnessed one of its rare explosions in recent times.
The attack took place in the parking lot of the judicial complex, highlighting vulnerabilities in what should be one of the most secure areas of the city. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack as of reporting time.
However, a security statement released to news agencies suggested the involvement of militants associated with the Afghan Taliban and India.
Regional Tensions and Security Implications
Pakistan's Defense Minister took to social media platform X to declare that Pakistan is in a "state of war" and described the attack as a "wake-up call" regarding negotiations with neighboring Afghanistan.
The country has experienced a significant surge in Islamist violence since the Afghan Taliban captured Kabul in 2021. Pakistan has repeatedly accused Kabul of harboring the Pakistani Taliban militant group (TTP), allegations that the Afghan Taliban consistently deny.
This latest attack comes amid escalating tensions between the two neighboring countries. October saw the worst military clashes between Pakistani and Afghan forces in years, while recent peace talks in a major Turkish city collapsed after both sides failed to reach a long-term agreement concerning hostile militant groups operating from Afghanistan against Pakistan.
The Defense Minister emphasized that the attack "all the way to the capital is a message from Kabul" and asserted that Pakistan possesses "the full strength to respond."
This tragic incident occurred less than 24 hours after militants attacked a cadet college in northwestern Pakistan, indicating a worrying pattern of escalating violence across the country.
