Islamabad blast a message to the state, says Khawaja Asif

ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif on Wednesday condemned the suicide blast outside the Islamabad district courts and warned that the attack — which killed and injured civilians and security personnel — should be treated by the state as a direct message from militants, many of whom he said are operating from Afghanistan with the tacit support of Kabul.

Speaking to journalists after visiting security briefings, Khawaja Asif said authorities had anticipated pressure-type actions and that until recently militant attacks had been largely confined to border regions. “We expected such an attempt aimed at putting pressure on us,” he said, adding that the Islamabad attack shows militants now intend to demonstrate they can strike anywhere in the country.

The minister accused militants based in Afghanistan of raising the “temperature” of violence. “Those terrorists sitting in Afghanistan, whom the Afghan government is sheltering, have increased their activity,” he said, asserting that the Islamabad bombing was meant to signal that “all your areas are within our range.”

Asif warned that Pakistan would respond forcefully to terrorist acts. “Our people and armed forces have sacrificed much in the fight against terrorism. Pakistan will deliver a robust response to terrorist operations. Terrorism will not be tolerated either in border areas or in urban centres,” he said.

Read More: 12 Martyred, 27 Injured in Suicide Blast Outside Islamabad Court

On claims of responsibility, the defence minister said a recent acceptance of responsibility by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) left little room for doubt. “There is no room for doubt after the TTP’s claim. The TTP is an extension [of militant networks], and many of its cadres are based in Kabul. How can the Kabul government not accept responsibility?” he asked.

Khawaja Asif also expressed disappointment that hopes for a successful dialogue with the Afghan authorities had already been limited, and said the Islamabad attack would force a reappraisal. “There was a little hope for a successful dialogue with the Afghan government; after this attack we will have to see,” he said, urging the state to take the situation seriously.

He stressed that the threat of terrorism now extends to all Pakistani cities and called on national institutions to respond decisively. “In these circumstances the state must consider the matter seriously,” he said. “I believe the risks of terrorism are present across all our cities.”

The minister’s comments came amid an ongoing investigation into the courthouse blast. Authorities have said preliminary inquiries point to a suicide bomber who detonated explosives near a police vehicle after failing to gain entry to the court complex. Security officials have vowed to identify and bring to justice those behind the attack.