ISLAMABAD: China’s foreign ministry spokesperson on Sunday condemned the Islamabad suicide bombing this week that killed 32 people and injured several others, expressing support for Pakistan in safeguarding its national security and protecting its people. 

Officials confirmed at least 32 people were killed and 150 injured on Friday when a suicide blast targeted the Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra mosque and imambargah in the Tarlai Kallan area located on Islamabad’s outskirts. 

The blast occurred during Friday prayers, when mosques around the country are filled with worshippers. A regional Daesh affiliate said one of its members had targeted the mosque by detonating an explosive vest. 

“China is deeply shocked by the deadly explosion in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad and the heavy casualties it has inflicted,” the Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson’s statement said.

“China strongly condemns the attack, opposes any form of terrorism and firmly supports the Pakistani government in safeguarding national security and stability and protecting the safety of the people.”

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Saturday that law enforcement agencies carried out raids in the northwestern cities of Peshawar and Nowshera after the bombing. He said four of the facilitators of the attack were subsequently arrested.

“The main mastermind is related to Daesh, and he is now under our custody,” the minister said. “All the planning and training of this incident had been done by Daesh inside Afghanistan.”

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 2025, a suicide bomber struck outside a court in the capital, killing 12 people.

Pakistan’s military and civilian government have long accused the Afghan Taliban government of sheltering militants on Afghan soil. Islamabad says these militants launch attacks from sanctuaries in Afghanistan against Pakistan. 

Afghanistan has repeatedly rejected these allegations, accusing Islamabad of blaming Kabul for its security failings.  

Pakistan also blames India for funding and supporting militants who launch these attacks against it. New Delhi has rejected these allegations from Islamabad.