Islamabad, Nov 11 (V7N) — At least 12 people were killed and 27 others injured in a deadly suicide bombing outside the District and Sessions Courts in Islamabad on Tuesday afternoon, local media Dawn reported.

According to Islamabad Police and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the suicide attacker attempted to enter the court premises but detonated his explosive device near a police vehicle when stopped. The powerful explosion sparked a fire at the scene, sending thick plumes of smoke over the area.

Minister Naqvi confirmed that the injured were being treated at nearby hospitals, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was closely monitoring the situation. “The attacker roamed outside the court for about 12 minutes before detonating the bomb. We are investigating from various angles,” Naqvi said, describing the incident as “not an ordinary attack.”

He added that security forces, including the army, rangers, and police, have been placed on high alert to secure key installations and international conference venues in the capital.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari expressed condolences to the families of the victims and wished a swift recovery for the injured in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

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