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11 Dead in Suicide Attack on Court in Pakistan’s Capital 11 Killed in Suicide Attack on Court in Pakistan’s Capital
(about 4 hours later)
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — At least 11 people were killed and 25 were injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire and detonated explosives in the Islamabad district court complex on Monday, according to police officials. ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — At least 11 people were killed and 25 were injured when unidentified assailants opened fire and detonated explosives in the Islamabad district court complex on Monday, according to police officials.
The motive behind the attack, which sent shock waves through the capital, was unclear, but it happened just a day after the Pakistani government announced that it would halt airstrikes against Taliban militants in response to a Taliban cease-fire. The motive behind the attack, which sent shock waves through the capital, was unclear, but it came just a day after the Pakistani government announced that it would halt airstrikes against Taliban militants in response to a Taliban cease-fire.
Shahidullah Shahid, a spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban, denied any role in the attack. “We have nothing to do with the attack. We have announced a cease-fire, and we will follow it for one month. Media should restrain itself from blaming us,” Mr. Shahid said in a telephone interview.Shahidullah Shahid, a spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban, denied any role in the attack. “We have nothing to do with the attack. We have announced a cease-fire, and we will follow it for one month. Media should restrain itself from blaming us,” Mr. Shahid said in a telephone interview.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility by any other militant group.There was no immediate claim of responsibility by any other militant group.
The dead included a senior judge, Rafaqat Ahmed Awan.The dead included a senior judge, Rafaqat Ahmed Awan.
Sikandar Hayat, the police chief of Islamabad, told reporters that two suicide bombers detonated their explosives after they were surrounded by the police.Sikandar Hayat, the police chief of Islamabad, told reporters that two suicide bombers detonated their explosives after they were surrounded by the police.
The court complex sits alongside a busy market in a leafy enclave where several government and commercial offices are located. The court complex sits alongside a busy market in a leafy enclave where there are several government and commercial offices.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos and panic after the attackers suddenly opened fire on lawyers and litigants around 9 a.m. Monday.Witnesses described scenes of chaos and panic after the attackers suddenly opened fire on lawyers and litigants around 9 a.m. Monday.
The number of attackers remained unclear and varied from three to four, witnesses said. But police officials insisted that there were only two attackers, believed to be in their early 20s. The number of attackers remained unclear and witness accounts varied from three to four. But police officials insisted that there were only two attackers, believed to be in their early 20s.
Hubdaar Shah, who works as a clerk in a lawyer’s office, said he was coming out of a judge’s office when he heard gunshots. “I ignored the first gunshot sound and kept walking toward my office, but then the gunfire got louder and started coming from two different directions,” Mr. Shah said. “The gunfire continued for several minutes. Then, we heard two small explosions, followed by a big explosion.”Hubdaar Shah, who works as a clerk in a lawyer’s office, said he was coming out of a judge’s office when he heard gunshots. “I ignored the first gunshot sound and kept walking toward my office, but then the gunfire got louder and started coming from two different directions,” Mr. Shah said. “The gunfire continued for several minutes. Then, we heard two small explosions, followed by a big explosion.”
“There was confusion as we did not know what was happening. Everyone was running for cover,” he said. “Nothing like this had ever happened before. It was a frightening experience.”“There was confusion as we did not know what was happening. Everyone was running for cover,” he said. “Nothing like this had ever happened before. It was a frightening experience.”
Mr. Shah said he escaped the gunfire by taking a narrow street between the law offices and courts.Mr. Shah said he escaped the gunfire by taking a narrow street between the law offices and courts.
Soon after, police officers and troops arrived, cordoned off the area and combed through the law offices to search for the attackers and secure buildings. Soon after, police officers and troops arrived, cordoned off the area and combed through the offices to search for the attackers and secure buildings.
The injured were ferried to the nearby Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital. Five were said to be in a critical condition. The wounded were taken to the nearby Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital. Five were said to be in a critical condition.