Investigations have revealed that the Islamabad suicide bomber initially attempted to attack the Faizabad checkpoint but failed to detonate explosives after being unable to remove the safety pin.
Sources said the attacker returned to Rawalpindi after the failed attempt and later carried out the deadly assault at the Islamabad Judicial Complex, killing 12 people and injuring at least 36 others.
The bomber, identified as Usman alias Qari, travelled to Islamabad from Pirwadhai on a motorcycle, detonating near a police vehicle after failing to enter the courthouse, according to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
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Authorities have arrested four members of a TTP/FAK cell linked to the attack. Sajidullah alias Sheena, the bomber’s handler, confessed that TTP/FAK Commander Saeed-ur-Rehman, based in Afghanistan, orchestrated the operation via Telegram.
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The investigation revealed that Sajidullah provided the suicide jacket to Usman, which had been collected from Akhun Baba graveyard in Peshawar, and arranged his stay near Islamabad ahead of the attack.
The incident highlights ongoing cross-border terrorism concerns, as Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned Pakistan might conduct operations inside Afghanistan in response to recent attacks and militant safe havens.