BEIJING: China on Sunday strongly condemned the deadly explosion at a Imambargah in Islamabad, pledging support for Pakistan’s efforts to maintain national security and stability.

In a statement, China’s foreign ministry said it was deeply shocked by the blast and the heavy casualties it inflicted. Beijing mourned the lives lost and expressed sympathy for the injured and bereaved families.

“China strongly condemns the attack, opposes any form of terrorism and firmly supports the Pakistani government in safeguarding national security and stability and protecting the safety of the people,” the statement added.

The condemnation followed Friday’s suicide bombing at Imambargah and Mosque Khadijat-ul-Kubra in Islamabad’s Tarlai area during prayers, which left at least 33 people martyred and dozens injured.

Investigators said the attacker opened fire before detonating himself at the entrance. They recovered an identity card at the site showing the suspect as Yasir, 32, a resident of Peshawar, according to Nadra. Authorities said he had reportedly been living in Afghanistan for the past five months, where he received training in weapons use and suicide bombing.

Sources said the attacker fired shots outside and inside the hall before carrying out the blast, using around four kilogrammes of explosives packed with ball bearings. Investigators added that he allegedly wore the suicide jacket in Nowshera and travelled to Islamabad via public transport.

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The suspect reportedly sat at a nearby hotel before walking to the mosque from Khanna Road, and had conducted reconnaissance of the site on February 2. Authorities also said he travelled to Afghanistan in May and returned in June, later activating a new SIM card in Bajaur.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said the mastermind of the attack, linked to the banned Daesh, was in custody along with facilitators. He said arrests were made in raids in Peshawar and Nowshera immediately after the blast.

Naqvi claimed that terrorist outfits involved were being funded by India and said the KP Counter Terrorism Department had detained all individuals connected to the attack. During the raids, a KP policeman was martyred and others were injured.