ISLAMABAD: The death toll from the suicide attack at Imambargah Qasr-i-Khadijatul Kubra in Islamabad rose to 36 on Saturday. Dr Aneeza Jalil of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) confirmed the figure, saying nine injured remain in very serious condition. ‘‘A 21-year-old man, who was brought from the imambargah, died,’’ she told Dawn. In total, 149 injured and 28 bodies were brought to Pims on Friday. HBS Hospital also reported three deaths from the attack. The attack happened during Friday prayers. ‘‘The attacker was stopped at the gate and detonated himself,’’ a security source told AFP. Witness Muhammad Kazim described the explosion as ‘‘extremely powerful,’’ while worshipper Imran Mahmood said a gunfight broke out between the bomber and volunteer security staff. ‘‘The suicide attacker was trying to move forward, but one of our injured volunteers fired at him from behind, hitting him in the thigh,’’ Mahmood said. The attacker then ‘‘detonated the explosives.’’ This is the deadliest attack in Islamabad since 2008, when 60 people died in a hotel bombing. Police sources told Dawn the bomber’s severed head found at the scene was identified as a man from Gunj, Peshawar. Forensic investigators used the Nadra database for identification. Preliminary findings link the attacker to the IS militant group, with multiple trips to Afghanistan. Authorities are interrogating the bomber’s family and searching for other suspects through geo-fencing and CCTV footage. Raids are ongoing, and some relatives have been detained in Nowshera. Officials emphasize that all angles are being examined as forensic teams continue their investigation.