G-11 courthouse suicide bomb handler confesses to Afghan links

In a joint operation, the Intelligence Bureau and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) in Islamabad apprehended four terrorists with Afghan links, involved in the suicide attack at the Judicial Complex in G-11, Islamabad.

The arrests come after the suicide blast outside the District Judicial Complex in G-11 that killed 12 people, including lawyer Zubair Aslam Ghuman, and injured over 36 others.

The attacker detonated explosives near a police vehicle after failing to enter the court premises, damaging several vehicles and sending shockwaves across the federal capital.

Read: Suicide attack kills 12, injures dozens outside Islamabad courts

During interrogation, Sajidullah alias Sheena, the handler of the suicide bomber, confessed that the group's Commander Saeed-ur-Rehman alias Daadullah — based in Afghanistan and serving as TTP’s Intelligence Chief for Nawagai, Bajaur — had directed him via Telegram to carry out the attack targeting law enforcement agencies.

Daadullah provided pictures of the suicide bomber, Usman alias Qari, a resident of Achin, Nangarhar, Afghanistan, and belonging to the Shinwari tribe, according to the state.

Sajidullah arranged his stay in a residence near Islamabad after his entry into Pakistan. Following Daadullah’s instructions, Sajidullah collected a suicide jacket from Akhun Baba graveyard in Peshawar and delivered it to Islamabad. On the day of the blast at the Judicial Complex, he fitted the suicide jacket on Usman alias Qari.

"Fitna al-Khawarij” is the term the state uses for terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while “Fitna al-Hindustan” refers to Indian-backed extremist proxies.

Government authorities confirmed that the network was controlled by the group's high command in Afghanistan. The arrested cell includes the commander and three other members. Investigations are ongoing, with further arrests and revelations expected.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the blast as a “cowardly terrorist act orchestrated by India-backed networks,” while Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said preliminary evidence linked the Islamabad and Wana attacks to groups operating from Afghanistan.

Read More: IGP Islamabad reviews police operations, orders improved service delivery

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad, Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, held a high-level meeting at Safe City Islamabad with DG Safe City Muhammad Haroon Joya, DIG Islamabad Muhammad Jawad Tariq, DIG Headquarters Malik Jameel Zafar, and other senior officers. The discussions focused on police operational affairs, effective use of technology, and strategies to improve citizen services.

The IGP directed officers to further enhance response times during emergencies, ensure the protection of citizens’ lives and property, and promote data-driven decision-making.

He emphasised improving the efficiency of the Safe City Islamabad system and strengthening inter-agency coordination to bolster law and order. Rizvi also reaffirmed his commitment to modernising the Islamabad Police and transforming it into a model force capable of tackling evolving security challenges.