Russian President Putin condemned the deadly Islamabad mosque bombing as “barbaric,” offered condolences to victims’ families, wished the injured a speedy recovery, and pledged Moscow’s support for Pakistan in counterterrorism efforts
Russian President Vladimir Putin has strongly condemned the deadly bombing at a mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, calling the violence “barbaric” and offering support to Pakistan in combating terrorism.
In messages sent to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Putin shared his condolences and expressed solidarity with the victims and the nation.
“The murder of people during a religious ceremony is further evidence of the barbaric, inhumane nature of terrorism,” he said in the condolence message.
Putin also urged that his “sincere sympathy and support” be passed on to the families and friends of those killed and wished a “speedy recovery” to the injured. He signalled Moscow’s readiness to strengthen cooperation with Islamabad on security and counterterrorism.
The blast occurred at the Imambargah Khadijah‑tul‑Kubra mosque in the Shehzad Town area during Friday prayers, one of the deadliest attacks in Islamabad in years. Pakistani authorities reported that at least 31 people were killed and around 169 others injured when a suicide bomber detonated explosives as security forces tried to stop him. The Islamic State group’s Pakistan affiliate reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack, adding to international concern about the spread of extremist violence.
Pakistan has since arrested four suspects in connection with the bombing, including the suspected mastermind, as part of a broader counterterrorism effort.
Leaders around the world have joined in condemning the mosque attack. China expressed deep shock and full support for Pakistan’s security efforts, while other nations, including several Western countries and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), issued statements denouncing the targeting of civilians and places of worship.
The attack has also sparked diplomatic tension, with Pakistan’s Defence Minister alleging foreign involvement—claims that India has strongly rejected as “baseless.”
Could India’s US deal be pushing Pakistan and Russia towards closer ties?
The realignment of India toward the United States is undeniably creating a strategic opening for a Russia-Pakistan rapprochement. As New Delhi formalises its February 2026 trade deal—committing to $500 billion in US imports and a pivot away from Russian crude—Moscow is losing its most reliable South Asian partner, forcing a pragmatically “Northward” shift toward Islamabad.
This emerging “marriage of necessity” is driven by three key factors:
The energy vacuum: With India facing US monitoring and potential “snapback” tariffs if it resumes large-scale Russian oil purchases, Moscow must find new markets. Pakistan, desperate for discounted fuel, has already signed several MoUs and is testing long-term frameworks for Russian crude and LNG.
The security counterweight: As the US and India solidify their “TRUST” framework for AI and defense, Pakistan feels increasingly isolated. Russia is filling this void by offering counterterrorism support and intelligence sharing, positioning itself as a regional stabiliser in the wake of IS-K violence.
The “balancer” strategy: Moscow is using ties with Islamabad to remind New Delhi that its strategic loyalty has an alternative. This creates a new South Asian axis where Russia and Pakistan converge on energy, rail connectivity, and Eurasian stability as a counterweight to the Washington-Delhi partnership.
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