The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) Peshawar has conducted a raid on the residence of the bomber who carried out a suicide attack in Islamabad and arrested three of his family members, officials said on Saturday.

According to the CTD, the suicide bomber was identified as Yasir after his identity card was recovered from the blast site.

During the raid in Peshawar, Yasir’s two brothers, Bilal and Nasir, and his brother-in-law, Usman, were taken into custody.

Authorities confirmed that Yasir was in contact with his brother-in-law prior to the attack.

CTD officials said that Yasir had two brothers and three sisters. Investigations revealed that he travelled to Afghanistan in May and returned to Pakistan in June, where he reportedly received training in handling weapons and carrying out suicide attacks.

Recce of crime scene

After returning, Yasir went to Bajaur in June, where he activated a SIM card and remained there from June 27 to October.

He later moved to Hakimabad, Nowshera. The CTD further disclosed that the suicide bomber had conducted a recce of the crime scene on February 2.

Security agencies have launched a search operation to trace the bomber’s network and facilitators in Peshawar and Nowshera.

Authorities stated that investigations are ongoing and various aspects of the case are being examined.

It is worth noting that a suicide bombing occurred during Friday prayers at Imambargah and Masjid Khadijat-ul-Kubra in the Tarlai area of Islamabad, resulting in the martyrdom of at least 32 people and injuries to more than 150 others.

According to police and PIMS hospital sources, 28 bodies and 105 injured individuals were brought to the hospital.

The bodies of 27 victims were later handed over to their families.