Timeline of terror: Two decades of major attacks in Pakistan’s capital

• Suicide bombing at Islamabad district court this week has revived fears of a militant resurgence after years of declining urban violence
• Pakistan says many TTP fighters have regrouped in Afghanistan, accusing Kabul of allowing cross-border attacks, a charge the Taliban deny

ISLAMABAD: It was a scene of chaos outside Islamabad’s district courts complex this Tuesday as a suicide bomber struck, killing at least 12 people and injuring dozens. The attacker had tried to enter the court premises but was intercepted and instead blew himself up near a police vehicle.

Government officials initially said the attack had been carried out by Tehreek‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or Pakistani Taliban group, though the outfit later denied involvement.

Pakistani Taliban militants have in recent years focused attacks on security forces. Civilians had not been hit in Islamabad for a decade, according to Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, a group that tracks attacks.

The incident underscores a growing and evolving security challenge. Major urban centers such as Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi had seen a significant drop in militant violence after counterterrorism operations in the last decade. But since the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in Kabul in 2021, Islamabad says TTP leaders and fighters have regrouped in Afghan territory and are using it as a staging ground for attacks inside Pakistan, accusations the Taliban administration in Kabul denies.

Below are some of the deadliest militant attacks in Islamabad over the past two decades:

Sept. 20, 2008 — Marriott Hotel bombing

A truck packed with explosives detonated outside the five-star Marriott Hotel, killing at least 54 people and injuring more than 260. The blast left a massive crater outside the building. No group officially claimed responsibility, though investigators attributed the attack to Al-Qaeda-linked militants.

June 2, 2008 — Danish Embassy bombing

A suicide car bomber struck near the Danish Embassy inside Islamabad’s diplomatic enclave, killing several people including local staff. Al-Qaeda later claimed responsibility.

July 6, 2008 — Police station blast

A suicide attacker detonated explosives near a police station in the capital, killing around 19 officers and wounding dozens. The attack followed weeks of rising tensions after the Danish Embassy blast.

May 27, 2005 — Bari Imam shrine attack

A suicide bomber struck the annual Urs festival at Islamabad’s Bari Imam shrine, killing at least 19 people and injuring hundreds in one of the capital’s deadliest sectarian attacks.

Mar. 3, 2014 — Islamabad district court attack

Gunmen and a suicide bomber attacked the district courts, killing 11 people including a judge and injuring about 30. The attack shocked the capital for its targeting of a major judicial complex.

Jan. 13, 2016 — ARY News office attack

Unidentified attackers threw a hand grenade at the Islamabad office of ARY News, injuring a staff member. A regional affiliate of Daesh claimed responsibility.

Dec. 23, 2022 — Suicide bombing near police headquarters

A suicide bomber detonated a vehicle at a police checkpoint near Islamabad’s main police headquarters, killing a police officer and wounding several others. The TTP claimed the attack.

Nov. 11, 2025 — Islamabad district court bombing

A suicide bomber tried to enter the district court complex but was stopped at a checkpoint and detonated explosives near a police vehicle. Twelve people were killed and more than 30 injured — the deadliest attack on civilians in the capital in years.