China condemns Islamabad mosque bombing, backs Pakistan’s security efforts

China condemned an attack on a mosque in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad and pledged support for the government’s efforts to maintain national security and stability. China was “deeply shocked” by Friday’s attack, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement on Sunday. An attacker opened fire at the gates of the mosque before detonating a suicide bomb, killing at least 31 people in the deadliest such attack in Islamabad in more than a decade. On Saturday, Pakistan said four facilitators of the suicide bombing, including the alleged mastermind, were arrested during overnight counterterrorism operations. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters in Islamabad that operations continued throughout the night to track those responsible for the attack, which also injured 169 people. He said it was the deadliest assault in the city since the 2008 Marriott Hotel bombing. The explosion occurred at the Imam Bargah Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra in the Tarlai area as worshippers gathered for Friday prayers. Officials said the attacker was stopped at the mosque entrance before detonating explosives. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack, according to the SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors militant communications. The group said one of its members carried out the bombing using an explosive vest. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar called it a “heinous crime against humanity” and reaffirmed Pakistan’s unity against terrorism. Naqvi said the Counter-Terrorism Department and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police played a key role in the arrests. “All those involved, including the mastermind, were apprehended,” he said, calling the operation a “test case” for the agencies. He said raids in Nowshera and Peshawar led to the arrest of four facilitators and the alleged mastermind, an Afghan national. Naqvi added that an assistant sub-inspector of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police was killed during the operation and several officers were injured. “The main mastermind is linked to Daesh and is now in our custody,” Naqvi said. He added that planning and training for the attack were conducted by Daesh in Afghanistan and that authorities had intelligence on how the attacker traveled there and received training. Naqvi warned that Pakistan faces a wide network of militant groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, the Afghan Taliban and Daesh, which he said operate from Afghan territory. He said 21 terrorist organizations were currently active. The minister urged public cooperation, saying community intelligence was critical to preventing attacks. He said dozens of planned attacks were foiled for every successful blast. Naqvi also claimed the groups receive foreign funding and alleged that India provides financial support and targets for attacks. He said Pakistan’s position would eventually gain international recognition. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack, saying assaults on civilians and places of worship were unacceptable. The bombing comes amid a rise in militant violence in Pakistan, particularly in provinces bordering Afghanistan. Pakistan has a Shia minority of about 10% to 15% that has historically been targeted in sectarian attacks. Islamabad has repeatedly accused militants in Afghanistan of using cross-border sanctuaries, a charge denied by the Taliban-led government. Tensions between the neighbors have escalated, with frequent border clashes reported. The last major attack in Islamabad took place in November 2025, when a suicide bombing outside a court killed 12 people. Recent attacks in Balochistan have also killed dozens of civilians and security personnel, prompting large-scale counterterrorism operations.