A suicide bombing occurred at the Imam Bargah Khadija Tul Kubra mosque in southeastern Islamabad on the 6th, resulting in the deaths of 36 people, as reported on the 8th. The bombing happened when the assailant opened fire on security personnel attempting to prevent entry at the mosque before detonating explosives. Initially, 31 had died at the scene, but as the condition of injured patients worsened, an additional five fatalities were recorded. A memorial service was held on the 7th, attended by around 2,000 mourners, Shia leaders, and government officials.

Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqbi announced the capture of four suspects, including the mastermind, who is linked to the Islamic State (IS) group, during operations in northern Peshawar. The primary suspect, 26-year-old Yasir Khan, was reportedly radicalized, trained, and prepared for the attack by a Sunni Islamic extremist group associated with IS in Afghanistan. This incident is reminiscent of previous large-scale attacks, such as the 2008 suicide bombing at the Islamabad Marriott Hotel that killed 63 people.

The Islamic State claimed responsibility for the bombing, labeling the targeted mosque as a "human storehouse" supplying personnel to Shia militias combating IS in Syria. The frequency of IS-related terrorist activities remains unabated globally, with notable incidents including a shooting in Australia in December by an IS-inspired father and son duo that left 15 dead. The continuous threats posed by such extremist groups underline the ongoing challenges faced by nations like Pakistan in combating terrorism.