Pakistan is facing war-like situation: Khawaja Asif after Islamabad attack

Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif in response to the recent suicide attack at the Islamabad district court, emphasized that Pakistan is in an active state of conflict, not limited to the Afghan border and remote areas of Balochistan. 

“We are in a state of war, let no one assume that the Pakistan Army is fighting this war only in the Afghan-Pakistan border areas and the far-flung regions of Balochistan. Today’s suicide attack at the Islamabad district court is a wake-up call that this is a war for all of Pakistan, in which the Pakistan Army makes daily sacrifices and provides the public with a sense of security,” he said in a statement on X.

He further added that,  “In this atmosphere, placing too much hope in successful negotiations with the Kabul rulers would be futile. The Kabul authorities can stop terrorism inside Pakistan, but bringing this war to Islamabad is a message from Kabul, to which Pakistan, praise be to God, has the strength to give a full response.”

The statement suggests that placing high expectations on negotiations with the Kabul administration may not be realistic, as the attack is perceived as a message from across the border.

ھم حالت جنگ میں ھیں کوئ یہ سنجھے کہ پاک فوج یہ جنگ افغان پاکستان سرحدی علاقے میں اور بلوچستان کے دور دراز علاقے میں لڑرہی ھے تو آج اسلام آباد ضلع کچہری میں خود کش حملہ wake up call ھے کہ یہ سارے پاکستان کی جنگ ھے جسمیں پاک فوج روز قربانیاں دے رہی ھے اور عوام کو تحفظ کا احساس دلا…

— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) November 11, 2025

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi arrived at the Islamabad Kachehri court to inspect the situation following the suicide blast. He confirmed that 12 people were killed, while 27 others sustained injuries in the explosion.

The injured were shifted to PIMS Hospital, where an emergency has been declared. Law enforcement agencies cordoned off the area and launched a search and clearance operation.

The blast shook the surrounding area. While initial reports suggested that the explosion may have been caused by a gas cylinder burst in a parked car, later evidence confirmed it was a suicide attack.

A graphic image circulating on social media appeared to show the head of the attacker lying on the road as bystanders gathered and filmed the scene.

Police and rescue teams quickly reached the area to assist victims and transport the wounded to the hospital. The district court building was evacuated, and all lawyers and citizens were safely escorted out.

The explosion was heard across a wide distance, and the car containing explosives was reportedly stationed in the parking area.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that the attacker had attempted to carry out the blast inside the building, but detonated the explosives near a police vehicle instead.