Two days after the deadly suicide bombing at the Islamabad Katchehri (Judicial Complex), the premises were reopened to litigants on Thursday amid heightened security. However, the District Bar Association announced a two-day strike, with lawyers boycotting court proceedings on November 13 and 14. The bar’s protest will continue for two days in mourning and solidarity, while the daycare centre inside the family courts will remain closed too.

Advocate Zubair Aslam Ghumman lost his life in the suicide blast outside the judicial complex, while several other lawyers, litigants, and civilians are still receiving medical treatment. In the wake of the explosion, security around the courthouse has been significantly tightened. Lawyers’ clerks are now required to show official identification cards, and litigants are allowed entry only after detailed security checks and registration.

Prior to the reopening, security agencies completed evidence collection from the site. Officials confirmed that geo-fencing of the area has been carried out, and the recovered evidence has been sent for forensic examination. The initial investigation report states that the explosion occurred outside the court premises. The attacker, acting alone, attempted to enter the courthouse but detonated himself when security personnel intercepted him.

The blast killed twelve people and injured twenty-seven others, including four Islamabad Police officials, one of whom is an Assistant Sub-Inspector. Three vehicles, including a police van, were also damaged in the explosion. Investigators recovered the head of the bomber and are working to identify his handlers. At the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), twenty-two of the injured are currently being treated, eighteen in Surgical Ward 4 and four in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

One of the victims is said to be in critical condition. The remaining injured individuals were discharged after receiving medical aid, while two were moved to private hospitals by their families. All twelve bodies were handed over to relatives last night following the completion of legal formalities. Investigations have revealed that the attacker, reportedly a resident of Bajaur, arrived in Islamabad on Friday. From Pirwadhai, he travelled to the G-11 District Courts area on a motorcycle.

According to police, the suicide bomber was wrapped in a shawl and carrying approximately eight kilograms of explosives packed with ball bearings. The Islamabad Judicial Complex blast case has been registered at the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) police station under case number 10/25 of the Anti-Terrorism Act. The FIR includes serious charges such as murder and attempted murder.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)