The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has strongly denounced the recent attack on an imambargah in Islamabad, which tragically resulted in the deaths of six children. This event occurred on February 7, 2026, during Juma prayers, marking the deadliest attack in the city in over a decade.
According to reports, a suicide bomber detonated explosives at the Imambargah Khadijah al-Kubra, killing at least 32 individuals and injuring 169 others. The attack, accompanied by explosions and gunfire, has been attributed to an Afghan mastermind linked to the Islamic State (Daesh).
In a statement, UNICEF emphasized the unconscionable nature of targeting children, calling it a grave violation of their rights. The organization extended condolences to the victims’ families and stressed that children should never be exposed to violence.
Following the attack, Pakistani authorities have detained four facilitators and identified the bomber as Yasir, a resident of Peshawar. The investigation continues as the government blames an ‘Indo-Afghan nexus’ for the violence. As the nation mourns, security measures are expected to tighten, with further arrests anticipated.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, February 9th, 2026
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