Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Atta Tarar has revealed that the suicide attack outside the Islamabad District Courts was planned and directed from Afghanistan by the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief, Noor Wali Mehsud, acting through his commanders based on Afghan soil.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, the minister stated that the November 11 attack was intended to cause large-scale devastation in the federal capital and that its operational planning was traced directly to Afghanistan. He emphasized that Pakistan’s security agencies, law enforcement institutions, and armed forces remain fully alert and acted swiftly to dismantle the terror network behind the plot.
According to the minister, the investigation has achieved major breakthroughs. Intelligence Bureau (IB) and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) conducted rapid follow-up operations, leading to the arrest of four key suspects within 48 hours. The detained individuals include Sajidullah alias Sheena, Kamran Khan, Muhammad Zali, and Shah Munir.
Tarar explained that Sajidullah alias Sheena was the handler who transported the suicide bomber and the explosive vest, and that all arrested suspects played active roles in facilitating the attack. The suicide bomber, identified as Usman Shinwari, was a resident of Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province.
The minister noted that initial reconnaissance by investigators identified the first location the bomber attempted to target on the outskirts of Islamabad. The suicide vest and material evidence recovered from the scene were traced back to the arrested facilitators, confirming their direct role.
In the press conference, an on-record confession of Sajidullah alias Sheena was also shown, detailing his involvement and confirming the cross-border planning of the attack.
Recounting the background, the minister said that in August 2025, Sajidullah and Muhammad Zali traveled to Afghanistan, where they met senior TTP commander Dadullah. During this period, they also met Abdullah Jan alias Abu Hamza of the Fitna al-Khwarij group in Afghanistan’s Shegal district, before proceeding to Kabul for a follow-up meeting with Dadullah. It was there that Dadullah conveyed direct orders from Noor Wali Mehsud to conduct a suicide attack in Rawalpindi or Islamabad.
The minister further elaborated that Dadullah and Sajidullah maintained contact through an encrypted application, and that the operation was funded, directed, and monitored from Afghan territory. Sajidullah later hired Muhammad Zali and Kamran Khan to assist in the execution of the plot.
Tarar added that Sajidullah had joined the Afghan Taliban in 2015 and had received training in several militant camps inside Afghanistan. In 2023, he reestablished contact with Dadullah, ultimately leading to his role in the attack planning for November 2025.
The minister reiterated that the attack was part of a larger cross-border terror strategy designed by Noor Wali Mehsud, who continues to operate freely inside Afghanistan. He emphasized that Pakistan has repeatedly warned that Afghan soil is being used for terrorism against Pakistan and that concrete action against these groups remains essential.
Atta Tarar hailed the swift and coordinated response of Pakistan’s security agencies, describing the arrests as a “major success that will significantly assist in combating terrorism.” He affirmed that Pakistan will continue to take decisive steps to dismantle all terrorist networks threatening its peace and stability.
