Islamabad Court Attack: Pakistan Faces ‘State of War’ Amidst Rising Terrorism

A tragic suicide bombing outside the Islamabad district courts, claiming 12 lives and wounding more than 30, has prompted Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif to declare a ‘state of war’. The minister characterized the incident as a critical warning to the nation, emphasizing that the responsibility lies with the ‘rulers in Kabul’ to curb terrorism emanating from their territory. Asif asserted that the attack in the heart of Islamabad was a direct message from Afghanistan, one that Pakistan is fully capable of confronting. In a post on X, he stated, ‘We are in a state of war,’ urging citizens to recognize that this conflict transcends the Afghan-Pakistan border and Balochistan’s remote areas. The bomber reportedly detonated explosives after being prevented from entering the court. While no group has claimed responsibility, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif pointed fingers at India, alleging state-sponsored destabilization efforts. India has rejected these accusations as unfounded. This grave incident occurs amidst a worrying escalation of terror attacks in Pakistan, including a recent bombing at a Cadet College in South Waziristan.