Exclusive: Scenes of horror at Islamabad hospital as doctors battle to save survivors of courthouse blast

ISLAMABAD (MNTV) — At least 12 people were killed and around 30 injured in a powerful explosion outside the district judicial complex in Islamabad on Tuesday, in what authorities described as a suicide bombing.

The blast ripped through the main gate of the G-11 courthouse, shattering vehicles and scattering debris across the busy service road.

It comes just after a deadly car explosion near the Red Fort in India’s capital, New Delhi, that killed at least 13 people and wounded several others.

When MNTV visited the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) shortly after the attack, emergency wards were packed with injured victims — lawyers, bystanders, and police officers — as doctors fought to stabilize the wounded.

Dr. Gilani, a senior physician at PIMS, described scenes of devastation.

“It was a brutal blast,” he said.

“We have received around 25 to 30 casualties. About 13 to 15 were already lifeless when they arrived — some without upper torsos, others severely disfigured. Most injuries are from heavy bleeding and blunt trauma.”

He added that three patients remain in critical condition, while several others are relatively stable.

“We are doing everything possible, but the nature of the injuries shows the intensity of the explosion,” Dr. Gilani said, his gloves still stained with blood.

The corridors of PIMS were filled with lawyers and civil society members waiting anxiously for updates.

“It was total chaos,” said Haseeb, a witness who spoke to MNTV.

“Lawyers and common people were running inside the complex. I saw two dead bodies lying at the gate and several cars up in flames.”

“Following the attack, an emergency has been declared at PIMS, and medical assistance to the injured is under way,” PIMS spokesperson Dr. Mubashir Daha said.

Pakistani Taliban takes responsibility, government responds

The Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for the blast that killed at least 12 people in Islamabad, saying in a statement that the group targeted judicial officials.

“Our fighter attacked the judicial commission in Islamabad. Judges, lawyers and officials who carried out rulings under Pakistan’s un-Islamic laws were targeted,” the group said, warning it would carry out more attacks “until Islamic Sharia law is implemented” in the country.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is an outlawed militant group that has carried out numerous attacks targeting security forces, government institutions, and civilians across Pakistan for over a decade.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the blast was caused by a suicide bomber who detonated explosives near a police vehicle after failing to enter the court premises.

A forensic team has been dispatched to investigate.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif blamed India for orchestrating the attack, calling it “the worst example of Indian state terrorism in the region.” In a post on X, he urged the international community to condemn “such nefarious conspiracies of India” and vowed to continue

Pakistan’s war on terrorism “until its complete elimination.”

President Asif Ali Zardari and Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif also described the incident as a suicide attack.

A heavy security presence, including Islamabad’s Inspector General of Police and the Chief Commissioner, was deployed at both the hospital and the blast site as authorities tightened control around the courthouse area.

Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack.