ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A devastating explosion outside the High Court in Islamabad on Tuesday has killed at least 12 people and injured 20 others, Pakistani authorities confirmed. The blast, which occurred in the parking area of the judicial complex, is being investigated as a suicide attack.

Details of the Attack

The explosion struck early Tuesday afternoon in a district that houses numerous high-ranking government offices. Firefighters quickly responded to the scene, dousing a car believed to have been the source of the blast.

A security source told CNN that militants associated with the Afghan Taliban and India may be responsible for the attack, though no group has officially claimed responsibility.

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack in a statement, calling it a “suicide blast” and emphasizing Islamabad’s preparedness to respond to threats emanating from Afghanistan. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif described the attack as a “wake-up call” and declared that Pakistan is effectively in a “state of war” regarding negotiations with neighboring Afghanistan.

Context: Rising Violence and Regional Tensions

Islamabad has long faced security challenges due to militant activity linked to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has reportedly found safe haven across the Afghan border. The city maintains high-security zones, but this attack underscores the vulnerability of even heavily guarded areas.

The blast comes amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, following failed peace talks in Istanbul last week. Clashes between Pakistani and Afghan forces in October marked the worst violence between the two neighbors in years.

Recent Surge in Militancy

This attack follows a string of militant incidents in Pakistan, including a recent assault on a cadet college in northwestern Pakistan. Analysts say the rising violence is tied to instability in Afghanistan after the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in 2021, coupled with continued cross-border militant activity.

President Zardari described the attack as “a message from Kabul” but asserted that Pakistan possesses the strength and resolve to respond. Authorities continue to investigate, with security personnel conducting forensic analysis and reviewing surveillance footage from the site.