The Pakistani capital, Islamabad, witnessed a horrific security incident on Friday, as Pakistani police announced that a suicide bomber blew himself up at the gate of a mosque packed with worshippers, resulting in a large number of casualties, both dead and wounded, in a rare security breach for the city, which is usually heavily fortified.

Details of the bloody attack

According to official statements and Reuters reports, the attacker attempted to enter the mosque during Friday prayers, but security personnel stopped him at the gate, prompting him to detonate the suicide vest he was wearing. Police confirmed at least 12 deaths in the initial count, with dozens more injured.

Pakistani police official Zafar Iqbal stated that the explosion occurred during peak prayer times, noting the difficulty in determining the final number of victims at the moment, saying: "I cannot give an exact number of dead at this moment, but there are victims," ​​suggesting that the toll could rise given the severity of some of the injuries.

Scenes from the scene of the event

Images from the bombing site conveyed tragic scenes, showing bloodied bodies scattered across the mosque floor and surrounding area, mingled with shards of glass and debris from the shattered gate. Panic gripped the surviving worshippers, while dozens of injured were seen lying in the mosque's outer courtyard receiving first aid. Ambulances rushed to the scene, transporting critical cases to nearby hospitals, which had declared a state of emergency.

The security context and the implications of the timing

This attack is particularly significant and dangerous given its location; Islamabad is the political and administrative center of the country and is usually subject to extremely strict security measures compared to other Pakistani provinces, which experience ongoing tensions. The success of a suicide bomber in reaching a religious gathering in the capital is a worrying indicator for security agencies and evidence of the ability of armed groups to penetrate the capital's security perimeter.

This bombing comes in the context of a marked escalation of armed violence in Pakistan in recent years, especially in border areas, but the shift of operations to the heart of the capital poses significant security challenges for the Pakistani government in reassuring citizens and diplomatic missions.

Historical background and similar precedents

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack as of the time of this report, but suspicion in such incidents often falls on armed groups active in the region. It is worth noting that the capital, Islamabad, witnessed a similar attack on November 11th, when a suicide bomber killed 12 people and injured 27 others. Pakistani authorities stated at the time that the perpetrator of that attack was an Afghan national.

This incident brings to mind a series of bombings that have targeted places of worship in Pakistan over the past decades, often aimed at inciting strife and internal instability, calling for local and regional cooperation to confront the renewed wave of violence.

His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, received a written message from His Excellency President Dr. Mohamed Moez, President of the Republic of Maldives, concerning ways to strengthen the strong bilateral relations between the two brotherly countries, and discussing prospects for joint cooperation in various fields.

The message was received on behalf of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince by His Excellency the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Engineer Waleed bin Abdulkarim Al-Khuraiji, during his reception today at the Ministry’s headquarters in Riyadh of the Ambassador of the Republic of Maldives to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Mr. Ahmed Sarir.

During the reception, the distinguished bilateral relations between the Kingdom and the Maldives were reviewed, and ways to develop them in a manner that serves the interests of the two brotherly peoples were discussed, in addition to discussing a number of topics of common interest, and exchanging views on regional and international developments.

The depth of Saudi-Maldivian relations

This message comes within the framework of ongoing communication between the leaderships of the two countries, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Maldives share close historical and fraternal relations based on commonalities in Islamic identity and mutual cooperation. The Kingdom is a strategic partner of the Maldives in numerous development projects. Over the past decades, the Saudi Fund for Development has contributed to financing many vital infrastructure projects in the Maldives, including airport development, housing projects, and the health sector, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to supporting the stability and prosperity of its sister nations.

Prospects for future cooperation

This diplomatic engagement is particularly important in light of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which seeks to expand international partnerships and enhance economic and investment cooperation. Given the Maldives' status as a global tourist destination and the Kingdom's focus on developing the tourism sector as a cornerstone of economic diversification, promising opportunities exist for the exchange of expertise and investments between the two countries. Furthermore, both nations play significant roles within the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, making political coordination between them vital for addressing the challenges facing the Muslim world.

The reception of the Maldivian ambassador by Engineer Waleed Al-Khuraiji confirms the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ keenness to activate diplomatic communication channels and follow up on the outcomes of bilateral cooperation, in order to ensure the realization of the leadership’s aspirations in both countries towards greater integration and growth.