India-backed Daesh group behind Islamabad blast, attacker held: Naqvi

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday confirmed that the mastermind behind the Islamabad suicide blast, linked to the banned group Daesh, is now in Pakistan’s custody. The people who helped the attacker have also been arrested.

Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Naqvi said the mastermind and facilitators were caught in raids carried out in Peshawar and Nowshera in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These raids were conducted soon after the attack.

His statement comes after Friday’s deadly suicide attack at an imambargah in Islamabad during prayers. At least 33 people were martyred, and dozens were injured in the blast.

According to officials, the suicide bomber first opened fire and then blew himself up at the entrance of the imambargah in the Tarlai area of the federal capital.

During the press conference, Naqvi said, “I am telling you again with clarity that their [terrorist outfits] entire funding is being provided by India. All targets being provided to them by India,”

He added that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Counter Terrorism Department had arrested all individuals linked to the attack. He said the CTD and other security agencies worked together as a team during the operation.

Naqvi also said that during the raids, one KP policeman was martyred, while a few others were injured.

The interior minister said, “We have evidence of how the attacker was trained and how he was brought here. The planning and training were carried out in Afghanistan,”

He further stated that India was funding terrorist groups, including Daesh, and claimed that payments to militants had increased from $500 to $1,500.

Naqvi said, “India has tripled its terror budget after facing a defeat in May,”

However, he stressed that Pakistan would continue its fight against terrorism even “if terrorists increase their budget tenfold”.

He also emphasized that all militants must be treated the same, saying, “Enemy is enemy. Do not categorise those fighting against Pakistan. If the world does not raise its voice, the consequences will be severe,”

Naqvi added that social media platforms had been informed to shut down accounts being used by terrorists. He warned, “If platforms do not act, other options will be taken.”

More details will follow as the story develops.