Eyewitnesses said the blast occurred during normal court proceedings, spreading panic across the area.

Security sources said preliminary investigations suggest the attack was carried out by the Indian-backed Afghan Taliban proxy group, Fitna Al Khawarij.

The head of the alleged suicide bomber has been recovered from the site, sources said, adding that it showed that the attacker detonated himself.

Rescue teams rushed to the spot after the blast and transported the injured to nearby hospitals, with some reported in critical condition.

Police and other law enforcement agencies have cordoned off the blast area and begun collecting evidence.

Earlier reports had suggested that the explosion was caused by a vehicle’s gas cylinder.

The blast, which occurred around 12:39pm, also sparked a fire in the parking area.

According to the Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, the suicide bomber wanted to explode in the premises of the district and sessions court building; however, he targeted the Police personnel upon not being able to rush into the courthouse.

“State of War”

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that we are at the “state of war”.

He denounced the fact that war is only being fought on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and in distant areas of Balochistan, as the blast in Islamabad is the “wake-up call” for the whole nation that the war has now reached the heart of Pakistan.

Asif said that it would be futile to expect any breakthrough during the talks with the Afghan Taliban government in the present environment.

President Zardari condemns

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari “strongly condemned” the suicide blast in Islamabad.

He also expressed “deep” condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the early recovery of the injured.