ISLAMABAD: At least 12 people were killed and scores of others injured in a powerful explosion at the main gate of the G-11 judicial complete on Tuesday afternoon.
The blast was initially attributed to a gas cylinder inside a parked vehicle. However, later it transpired that the incident was a suicide blast. According to media reports, a bike rider reached the police picket at the main entrance of the building and blew himself up. The blast also caused fire in vehicles parked nearby.
The explosion was so intense that its sound was heard from a considerable distance. The explosion also sparked a fire, engulfing nearby vehicles and causing panic among people in the vicinity.
Initial reports indicate that among dead and injured are lawyers and visiting civilians. The wounded were immediately rushed to PIMS Hospital for urgent medical treatment.
Police officials stated that the courthouse area was crowded at the time of the blast, contributing to the high number of casualties.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the casualties and said that the suicide attacker tried to enter the judicial complex and after being stopped targeted the police vehicle.
The minister said that an investigation had been launched to reach those behind the incident, adding the head of the suicide attacker had been collected for forensic.
