Pakistan arrests four TTP militants over Islamabad suicide blast

Pakistan’s government says four militants linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have been arrested in connection with the suicide attack that struck Islamabad earlier this week.

In a statement posted on X on, authorities said the arrests were made during a joint operation by the Intelligence Bureau Division and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD).

“In a joint operation conducted by the Intelligence Bureau Division and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD), four members of the TTP/Fitna al-Khawarij terrorist cell involved in the suicide attack at the Judicial Complex G-11, Islamabad, have been apprehended,” the statement said.

The term “Fitna al-Khawarij” is used by the Pakistani state for militants associated with the TTP.

According to the government, investigators obtained a confession from the alleged handler, identified as Sajidullah alias Sheena. He told officials that TTP Commander Saeedur Rehman, also known as Daadullah, had contacted him via the Telegram app to order a suicide attack in Islamabad aimed at causing maximum casualties among law-enforcement personnel.

Authorities said the TTP commander sent photographs of the bomber — identified as Usman alias Qari — to Sheena to facilitate his reception. Acting on instructions, Sheena allegedly collected a suicide jacket from a graveyard in Peshawar and transported it to the capital.

On the day of the attack, the handler “set the suicide jacket” on the bomber, the government said.

Officials added that the group had been directed “at every step” by the TTP leadership based in Afghanistan. “The entire cell involved in the incident, including its commander and three other members, has been arrested,” the statement said. “Investigations are continuing, and more revelations and arrests are expected.”

At least 12 people were killed and 36 wounded when the blast tore through the district and sessions court building in Islamabad’s G-11 area on November 11. The explosion occurred as the capital was hosting several international events, including the Inter-Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference and the sixth Margalla Dialogue.

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry earlier said the attacker was “not a Pakistani national”, while Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi claimed the blast was “related to Afghanistan”.

By Aghakazim Guliyev