UPDATE 2 - At least 31 killed in explosion at religious site in Pakistani capital

UPDATES DEATH TOLL, CHANGES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Islamuddin Sajid and Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISLAMABAD / ISTANBUL (AA) - The death toll from an explosion at a religious site in Pakistan's capital Islamabad on Friday rose to 31, officials said.

The explosion hit an Imambargah, a worship place for Shia Muslims, located in the Shehzad Town area of Islamabad.

A statement by Islamabad district administration on US social media company X, which was later deleted, last confirmed the death toll to be 31 while 169 others were injured. The figure has also been cited by multiple local news outlets.

Earlier, the district administration said an emergency was declared at hospitals as rescue operations began, and the site of the explosion was completely sealed off.

Video footage showed many people on the ground after the explosion.

Geo News said a suicide bomber detonated while being stopped at the gate of the religious site on the outskirts of the federal capital.