Screengrab of the suicide bomber gunned down inside the mosque.
The suspect entered the Jamia Mosque Ali Ibn-e-Abi Talib while prayers were in progress.
CCTV footage shows that the assailant was walking on a path that leads to the mosque from Attal Chowk. As he neared the mosque, he took out a pistol and started firing, forcing people to flee the area. The bomber then ran through the narrow streets leading up to the mosque while brandishing the weapon.
Express News correspondent Qamarul Munawar said that according to eye witnesses when the bomber took out the pistol he started firing, which sent people scrambling for cover.
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Munawar added that at least three security guards had tried to intercept the bomber. The attacker though shot the security guard in the abdomen. A second guard who tried to intercept him was also injured.
A third guard in the mosque had taken up his position and when the bomber entered the mosque, he shot him. However, the bomber also managed to fatally wound the security guard.
Initial reports suggest the bomber got into a scuffle with the guard, shooting him when he was denied entrance to the main hall of the mosque.
The Bomb Disposal Squad defused the jacket. DIG Security added that they had found at least 500 grams of explosives and ball bearings in the suicide jacket.
SSP Islamabad Dr Rizwan has also suspended six officials including the SHO of Barakahu Abid Hussain and a probe has started into the matter. Munawar added that no police officer was present at the time of the attack.
A search operation has also been launched to find two suspected accomplices of the bomber.
Screengrab of the suicide bomber inside the mosque.
Screengrab of wiring taped to the arm of the suicide bomber.
Local residents gathered in front of the mosque and led a protest against the police for their failure to prevent the bomber from entering the mosque, and for failing to respond to emergency calls in a timely manner.
"The police were called in time but they were unable to take prompt action," reported Express News' correspondent.
Ulema of the Shia community, which has an Imambargah adjacent to the mosque, have asked the DC Islamabad to allot them licences for weapons so that they may make their own arrangements for security.
The mosque is located in the residential area of Barakahu, a short distance from the capital's secure Red Zone.
Munawar added that initially there was some discord between the police, the local administration and the mosque's administration on whether the bomber's body should be moved. However, the body was later shifted to PIMS hospital.
COMMENTS (82)
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@gujranwala789: Fyi please make a correction, the shia Imam bargah was adjacent to the mosque attacked.
this is nothing but a stupid hope and a stupid remark and all against the law of God.
Restructure Sunni Clergy in Pakistan It is high time that the Sunni clergy is reorganised and a formal education process of at least 3 years is put in place before they are allowed to preach at the pulpit in mosques or take part in elections. As well as religious texts they should be taught Human Rights, psychology, logic, philosophy, and basic science and economics. This way the students will not get brainwashed and be able to judge between right and wrong.
@Khan: No one agrees to die for the sake of money / avoid poverty. It is belief shoved in their mind to die for a cause. Can you bring one only one person from the poor mass, ready to die and kill many others for money( which he is not going to enjoy). search for one. Apologist behaviour!!!
The guard shall be awarded... He did his job with true spirit. Allah bless him.
@Water Bottle: A would be-suicide bomber who was shot dead inside a mosque in Bara Kahu area of Islamabad on Friday has been identified as Zakaullah.The attacker belongs to Chak number 239 of Bhawana area in Jhang district, police said.''DUNYA NEWS''....Stop living in denial.
What is Islamic and Non Islamic in the whole episode?
So Apparently in Pakistan, if you successfully kill an alleged suicide bomber without no collateral damage, you can get FIRED for doing so. Next time let him explode and save your jobs + life Mr security personnel!!!!
Just like recent case there are many cases pending for decision in courts of Pakistan but all in vein. If civil courts and judges are unable to trial the cases, Military Courts should be established to punish quickly, the terrorists and killers of thousands of innocent Pakistanis. Hamid HK@Naveed Ahmad: Almost all shia mosques are guarded by local volunteers and you cannot enter without gettings searched. They need to fire to disberse the vounteers and create an entry point
@gujranwala789: This is very disgusting and inhuman justification for a terrorist attack. If such a logic is applied by all others, the life on the planet will end. It seems that the end is very close.
@Mirza: It is really shameful to say that this terrorist (while firing) went to this mosque to say Eid Mubarak. Fear when such Mubarakbad reaches all our homes and mosques.
@Indian: It is apparent: no sane man would do that. Let alone remote derivatives of any religion or beliefs. This is insanity.
@gp65:
This is quite naive to say LeJ base is in punjab, no it is´nt. Anti-shia organizations have spread out to all parts of the country , actually at this moment punjab has the least presence of active Lej millitants , the current strong headquarters of Lej are in northern balochistan, southern kpk and FATA. The word jhangvi does not refer to jhang city in punjab but to a personality haq nawaz jhangwai who died in 1990 in some attack. These Lej people look to me millitant followers of Haq nawaz jhangwi´s anti shia ideology.
@ Kaalchakra
Brother,all this is from madrassahs here.Nothing from across the borders. All homegrown-LeJ,TTP,mujahideen,Afghan Taliban-everything. http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/18276/from-egypt-to-pakistan-why-are-we-infatuated-by-the-army/
He failed, Now big question, Where will he land? Heaven or ........ . Think from TTP perspective.
Sunni /Shia policemen guarding Shia Imambargah and vice versa with everything they got even giving up their lives on duty! Where else can you find these examples? The so-called "Powers" are badly failing in trying to trigger Shia- Sunni violence in Pakistan.
@ahmed: Duh, cuz there payed well and as a result r motivated.
The body of the bomber should be burnt and disposed in gutter. He doesnot deserve a grave and Muslim burial.
Sachin, thank you. Your words of peace are appreciated. However, it will be far better if you would convince people and authorities around you to stop funding poor Pakistanis to carry out these attacks, as Khan mentioned.
Can anyone shed light why he started firing before entering the mosque? Seems odd he attracted attention to himself when he could have easily entered the mosque if he had not started firing.
@Mustafa alvi: who told there were police guards stationed at the mosque ???? saeen the guards were community volunteers who sacrificed their lives ...
@ahmed: ironically they were not private guards ... they were the community members who volunteered for mosque's security !!!
YESS!!!. About f' ing time the good guys started winning. This will help boost morale of the battered police force. They need more such wins in order to crush this insurgency. Kudos from India. We are with you at this time of trial.
@Indian: these are not jihadist they are paid for their suicides poverty stricken people are easy target for these missions paid by the enemies of Pakistan. Gog willing we will defeat them.
Oops no hoors for him. He failed in his holy job.
its not too difficult to say somebody did not do the job right , not because they were not capable of , actually somebody was helping all the way , to get the suicide bomber in the mosque. probe needed to uncover the sympathizer and helpers of these suicide bombers with in the security forces. like corruption is so common . there are corrupt minded people in the forces who are responsible for helping these criminals. how else would a suicide bomber get there amid tight security.
@Troubled: You really are troubled. To treat a disease you must go to the source. Drones are not the only source, but they are a source. Your 'just kill'em all' methods have only exacerbated the situation.
The ironic thing is that these stupid suicide bombers idolize Saudi Arabia, a country where no Madrasas or Mosques are run without strict state supervision. Even the Friday Khutbah delivered is delivered to the Khateeb by the government on a piece of printed paper. While in Pakistan the local Mullah can spit whatever venom against whoever they please to do so against.
great success!! well done!!
The private security guard has passed away due to wounds during the firing; may Allah give the departed soul Magfirat and sabr to his family. A real hero who saved many lives on this day of Eid and sacrificed his own.
Terrorists have no morals, no ethics, hundreds if not thousands have been killed in bomb blasts in places of worship. The whole nation knows that, so why is this nation so stupid to still go to places of worship, it would be better to pray in a park, at home,at the place of work, than go to a place which is targeted. Many do not go to places of worship, for this reason, more need to know and take heed after this latest incident. It is never too late to learn.
When hate preaches go unchecked, when calling a certain sect infidel becomes fashion, and when PML-N keep silence on all this happening and PM keeps describing all terrorist activities as minor incidednts, this won't stop I guess. What has stopped you Mr PM from taking solid steps to contain and curb terrorism?
The secuirty guard who died should be honored and potrayed as a national hero.. so we can inspire a younger brave generation
@Hari Om:
Pakistan is not like our country. Their DNA resembles Arabia more and more everyday.
They have this concept of Muslim and non-Muslim and its thoroughly built into their ethos. Did you know that every Pakistani has to sign a document saying they don't consider Ahmadis as Muslims, say to get a Passport? Just an example.
After the partition of India on Religious lines, the Muslim League set a dangerous precedent. After driving out Hindus and Sikhs and Christians, it was the turn of the Ahmadis. Now they are few in number, so the natural choice is Shias. In parallel, some Islamists think some Muslims are not following the tenets of Islam and are hence non-Muslim; so wage a armed conflict.
So all this combined makes their society a radicalised one.
@Shahzad: I agree you with 100%, you have pointed out some very crucial points for investigation. It is time that the mass media and the public do their job for the security of Pakistan. Publish his picture and let the people see and point out who he is, where did he come from and who are the associates of this criminal, round them up now, and I mean all of them, hopefull few could be stopped in their tracks.
Attacker was going to blow up a Shia mosque and failed. Shukar hai.
@Water Bottle: "Take a close look at the third picture. Doesn’t it look like a Rakhi worn by Hindus?"
Dear it is not Hindu Rakhi it is new Rakhi Called "Islamic Rakhi" worn by "Mujahedeen" as sign of going to "Mullah Paradise".
Regards,
Ch. Nisar - don't blame pakistan, pakistanis are not responsible for this attack and if you still want to blame them peace process will be hampered.
@Shahzad: Absolutely valid point. All these incidents yet we are never given a clear answer about who is behind the attacks. Pinning it on top is the easiest route, while nobody elaborates on who is training and funding these terrorists.
Thank to Allah. Thank you sooo much.
@Syed A. Mateen: I think that time has come when I should start giving lectures to Police and other law enforcement agencies as how to screen out people having dubious characters.
More than half the people entering the mosques have suspicious looks. And more than 75% of the people entering the mosques of a particular sect have dubious backgrounds. Bottom line is that we have to go after them instead of allowing them to come to us. Law enforcement agencies just have to be proactive, which are currently being buried under the inadequacies and incompetencies of Ch. Nisar.
@ Shahzad: You are absolutely right. An investigation can be initiated and answers can be found. But answers might not be favorable to some of our friends in Saudi Arabia and America.
@Hari Om - As a Muslim and as a Pakistani, i have exactly the same questions as you about my country.
@waterbottle - get a life, its a cheap string used as a detonator.
@Water Bottle: Looks more like a taweez worn by Muslims on their arms
The ET editorial staff appears not to have been on the ball as they have not reported that the place of worship attacked was an Imambargah used by Muslim’s of the Shia sect making this attack on Eid Ul Fitr most likely a sectarian one.
No need for introspection just yet.... there is plenty of time and many others to blame (50,000 innocents including women and children dead and still counting)
@Water Bottle: You sir have mistaken a Bottle of Whiskey for a "Water Bottle"!
@ali:
Private security guards are better than extremely well paid agencies.
Throw his body in Nala Lai.
@Indian:
This was a shia mosque and all shias are on the target list of LeJ because shias are regarded kafir not muslim by them.
@Mard-e-Haq: Thank God he failed
It is sad that a police officer gave his life to save us and all the people are doing is complain! Police cant body check EVERY SINGLE person that enters a mosque! (There are thousands) Instead of protesting the police should be commended on its efforts having cops on duty even on eid. I understand that is part of the job but the least we can do is not blame them for this havoc! Its our own fault that we let this disease spread so deep into the system and by disease i mean the ideology of bufoons trying to buy their way into heaven by exploding themselves.
Head shot!! Failed to enter paradise, forever damned in limbo.
Thank Allah. At least someone is gunned down before he explodes. Good discipline by the security guards. Allah o Akbar.
Good work by private security guard.....
Thanks god, major incident was averted. and RIP for that guard who gave his life to protect others.
These criminals TTP won't even stop on eid. so called "peace talk"? anyone
It continues to remain baffling to me both as a Non-Pakistani and Non-Muslim that Pakistan, a country claimed to have been founded to provide a safe haven for the Muslims of the Indian Sub-Continent, sees such high levels of violence pitting Muslim against Muslim that to with these acts of violence taking place during the month of Ramadan, on the religiously significant day of Friday which also happens to be the day on which Eid Al Fitr is celebrated. How can this be so? Why not just live and let live?
private security guards working better than our security agencies.
Again, this is a sheer security lapse.
How did the suicude bomber made his way inside the mosque, when the mosque was heavily guarded?
He was only killed when the suicide bomber started firing. Had he been able to explode, it would have become the headlines of all electronic and print media.
I don't think that there was proper screening of the people by the Police.
Police personnel are only playing the role of "LALLOO's" and nothing more than that.
I think that time has come when I should start giving lectures to Police and other law enforcement agencies as how to screen out people having dubious characters.
Very strange, a total and complete failure of our security agencies.
What a shame.
The present government has totally failed in two months. Prices have rocketed and there is no security what so ever.
He failed in his quest to becomes a Shaheed !
Bravo! Great Job!
Is this what meant by US intelligence when they said that Terrorist could hit places where gatherings are taking place. Seems like thats exactly happening all inside pakistan.
.......and we still do nothing about the madrassas and pulpits of mosques that spout hatred that goes towards brainwashing minds that create such humans ( calling them humans is hard )
So naturally when the drone attacks stop, these guardians of the faith will stop bombing mosques. Because that is what logic dictates. If you are smoking crack.
What luck...catching him on time,before he detonated his explosives. I fail to understand why a jihadi would do this on such a day ...what are their beliefs/philosophies ?
What happened? Engineering quality in the country is in decline.
iss mulk mei roti say sasti insaani jaan hai. Aur uss say bhi sasti Suicide Jacket hai.
Now this is a good story, a bomber killed... Its a great news and ...ahh
GOD SAVE us.
A crisis takes longer than expected to arrive but moves faster than anticipated when it does. Next time it would explode, keep waiting
His body is quite intact. Identification won't be much difficult. High time Ch. Nisar asnwers few questions: who trained him? Who funded him? What was the source of motivation? Who all he had contacts with? Who provided him with weapons and explosives? What madrasah he went to? School of thought? But I am quite sure this too would go in drain and we would forget this tomorrow only to brace for more savagery in future. Stupid nation.