A suicide attack outside a court in Pakistan's capital Islamabad has killed 12 people and injured at least 27 more, the country's interior minister said.
Mohsin Naqvi stated that a bomber attempted to strike the district courthouse but was unable to gain entry.
Naqvi emphasized that authorities will prioritize the identification of the bomber and ensure justice for those affected.
Suicide blasts in Islamabad have been infrequent in recent years. Footage from the scene captured a burnt-out car and ongoing police security operations.
The injured parties are currently in medical treatment, as reported by Naqvi.
He clarified that the assailant detonated the explosive device near a police car after waiting approximately 15 minutes.
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari expressed his strong condemnation of the suicide blast.
A lawyer who was present during the incident recalled experiencing a loud explosion.
Rustam Malik described the scene as chaotic, with people scrambling to safety. He noted seeing two corpses at the gate and several vehicles ablaze.
