TTP Cell Behind Islamabad Judicial Complex Bombing Busted

ISLAMABAD: Authorities have arrested four members of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) linked to the suicide bombing at the Judicial Complex in G-11 earlier this week. The arrests were made during a joint Intelligence Bureau and Counter-Terrorism Department operation.

According to officials, the suspects belonged to a TTP faction referred to as Fitna al-Khawarij. Investigators said the suicide bomber’s handler, Sajidullah alias Sheena, confessed that TTP commander Saeedur Rehman alias Daadullah had ordered the attack via the Telegram app, with instructions to inflict maximum casualties on law enforcement personnel.

The probe found that Daadullah had shared the bomber’s photos and directed Sheena to collect a suicide jacket from a graveyard in Peshawar. On the day of the incident, the handler equipped the bomber, identified as Usman alias Qari, before the explosion.

Officials said the entire operation was “guided step-by-step” by TTP leadership based in Afghanistan. All key members of the cell, including the commander, have been detained, while further arrests are expected.

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The bombing on Tuesday killed at least 12 people and injured 36, targeting the district and sessions court at a time when Islamabad was hosting international events, including the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference and the Margalla Dialogue.

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry earlier stated that the bomber was “not a Pakistani national”, while Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi linked the assault to networks operating from Afghanistan.

The attack occurred the same week security forces foiled an assault on Cadet College Wana. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has accused Afghanistan and India of involvement in recent terrorism, vowing a strong response against those targeting Pakistan.