Authorities in Islamabad have identified the suspected suicide bomber in the recent attack at Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra as Yasir Khan Yasir, a resident of Peshawar who allegedly received militant training in Afghanistan. Yasir reportedly stayed in Afghanistan for about five months before returning to Pakistan, as per sources associated with the investigation. There are indications of a possible link between Yasir and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), although the investigation is still in its early stages with no final conclusions drawn.
Yasir Khan, said to be influenced by the Salafi school of thought, is believed to have undergone militant training at the Mansoor Istashhadi training center in Afghanistan’s Kunar province. Authorities are now focused on uncovering the broader network that may have assisted the attack, including identifying potential handlers, logistical supporters, and any connections that facilitated the operation. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry confirmed the bomber’s identity, obtained through forensic analysis of his remains.
The explosion at Khadija Tul Kubra mosque during Friday prayers resulted in the death of 31 individuals and left 169 others injured in Islamabad. Eyewitnesses reported hearing gunfire before the explosion, followed by the detonation of explosives by the suicide bomber amidst worshippers. Hospitals in the capital activated emergency protocols, treating critically injured victims. The attack has prompted condemnation from the international community, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation into the incident.
