Defence minister vows strong response to terrorist attack in Islamabad

Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Tuesday said that the country will give a strong response to today's terrorist attack in Islamabad that left at least a dozen people dead and over 24 others injured.

In a statement, the minister said that Afghanistan is providing shelter to militant groups responsible for recent attacks in Pakistan. He said the latest attack has escalated the ongoing conflict, adding that the Taliban gave a message today that, “your entire region is within our reach."

“We will respond strongly to the attack,” the minister announced, adding that attacks of this nature would not be accepted neither in border areas nor in major urban centres. He stressed that the state is prepared to counter any further escalation.

🚨 🇵🇰 BIG STATEMENT BY KHAWAJA ASIF:

"Pakistan will definitely respond to this terrorist attack carried out by the Afghan Taliban. We will not tolerate this."

- The state will definitely respond to this terror attack! pic.twitter.com/iKXqFVrVlV

— Zard si Gana (@ZardSi) November 11, 2025

A suicide attack in Islamabad left 12 people dead and injured at least 27 others, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said.

He said the attacker had intended to enter the courthouse but failed to breach the building, detonating the explosives outside instead. He added that investigators would focus on determining the bomber’s identity and ensuring that all individuals connected to the attack are held accountable.