Overview
- The government says a joint Intelligence Bureau–CTD operation detained an alleged cell commander and three others tied to the Nov. 11 suicide attack that killed 12 and wounded dozens outside the District Judicial Complex.
- Officials identified the bomber as Usman, also known as Qari, an Afghan from Nangarhar, and said handler Sajidullah, known as Sheena, confessed to receiving instructions from TTP commander Saeed-ur-Rehman, or Daadullah, via Telegram.
- Authorities say the handler retrieved a suicide jacket from Akhun Baba graveyard in Peshawar, brought it to Islamabad, and strapped it on the bomber before the blast.
- The government asserts the network was directed step-by-step by TTP leadership based in Afghanistan, with investigations continuing and more arrests expected; a tailor linked to the vest and another facilitator were later detained.
- Security forces report separate intelligence-based operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including at least 22 militants killed in Bajaur and five in Bannu–Lakki Marwat, as Jamaat-ul-Ahrar’s initial claim of responsibility for the bombing was retracted and regional blame remains contested.