ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday announced compensation for the victims of a suicide attack earlier this month that targeted a mosque in Islamabad, vowing that sacrifices of those who gave their lives would not go in vain. 

At least 32 people were killed and over 150 others sustained injuries in a suicide blast last Friday that targeted Imam Bargah Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra mosque in the Tarlai Kallan area located on Islamabad’s outskirts.

The blast occurred during Friday prayers at the packed mosque, with Daesh saying one of its militants had targeted the congregation by detonating an explosive vest.

Sharif visited the mosque with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and other officials on Wednesday. He met relatives of the blast and offered prayers for them. 

“Rs5 million [$18,000] will be given to the families of each martyr, Rs3 million [$10,800] to those seriously injured, and Rs1 million [$3,600] to others who suffered minor injuries,” a statement from Sharif’s office said. 

Sharif also announced Rs10 million [$36,800] for the family of Aun Abbas, who had resisted the suicide bomber. He later visited Abbas’ residence and offered prayers for his soul and met his family. 

“The entire nation, including myself, is deeply grieved over the heinous, despicable, and extremely deplorable act of terrorism on Feb. 6,” the Pakistani prime minister said. 

During his visit to the mosque, the prime minister was briefed about the attack by police and district administration authorities who accompanied him. 

Friday’s mosque blast was the deadliest in Islamabad since a 2008 suicide bombing at the Marriott Hotel that killed 63 people and wounded more than 250. In November last year, a suicide bomber struck outside a court in the capital, killing 12 people.

Tallal Chaudry, Pakistan’s state minister for interior, blamed the Islamabad mosque attack on militants that he said were “sponsored by India and supported by Afghanistan.”

Both countries have always denied Islamabad’s accusations of supporting militant groups who carry out attacks in Pakistan.