Pakistan Says Four Arrested Over Islamabad Bombing Linked to Afghanistan-based Group

Pakistan announced on Friday that it had arrested four members of a cell responsible for this week’s suicide bombing in Islamabad, which the government claimed was orchestrated from Afghanistan.

The attack on Tuesday, which took place outside court buildings, was claimed by a faction of the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

According to Islamabad, the individuals arrested in connection with the bombing, which killed 12 people and injured 37, were linked to the TTP.

“The network was handled and guided at every step by the… high command based in Afghanistan,” a government statement read, adding that the cell’s alleged commander, along with three other members, were now in custody.

“Investigations are ongoing, and further revelations and arrests are expected,” the statement continued, identifying the bomber as Usman, also known as Qari, a resident of Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan.

The government did not provide specific details on where the arrests were made.

On Thursday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi informed the Senate that the bomber was Afghan.

These accusations come amidst a sharp deterioration in relations between Islamabad and Kabul, with Pakistan blaming Afghan-based militants, particularly the TTP, for an increase in attacks since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. Kabul has denied these charges.

Tensions between the two countries reached a low point last month after a series of attacks led to the worst cross-border clashes in years, resulting in more than 70 deaths, including dozens of Afghan civilians, according to the United Nations.