Islamabad Mosque Bombing Draws Global Condemnation

By Shakir Husain

NEW DELHI, Feb 7 (Bernama) -- World leaders strongly condemned a suicide bombing at a mosque in Islamabad on Friday, as Pakistan vowed to bring those responsible to justice.

Azerbaijan, Britain, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye were among the countries that offered condolences and expressed their support for Pakistan in its efforts to wipe out terrorism.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack carried out at a mosque during the Friday prayers today (6 February) in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. We wish Allah's mercy upon those who lost their lives in this heinous attack and extend our condolences to their families and to the people of Pakistan,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Turkiye will continue to stand in solidarity with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism, it added.

Saudi Arabia in a Foreign Ministry statement expressed its "strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist bombing" as well as solidarity with Pakistan against all forms of extremism, violence and terrorism.

“The Ministry affirms the Kingdom's firm stance rejecting the targeting of places of worship, the intimidation of innocent civilians, and the shedding of innocent blood,” the statement said.

At least 31 people lost their lives and almost 170 were injured when an attacker blew himself up at the Imambargah Qasr-e-Khadijatul Kubra mosque in Islamabad's Tarlai suburb.

Security guards at the Shia mosque tried to stop the bomber but he managed to detonate the explosives.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and other officials have blamed foreign actors and their terrorist proxies for the atrocity, which comes within days of the coordinated attacks in Balochistan province.

“We strongly condemn this heinous act of violence and terrorism, which targeted worshippers at a sacred place. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families, and we wish a swift recovery to those injured,” the Azerbaijan Foreign Ministry said, adding Azerbaijan stands in solidarity in Pakistan's fight against all forms of terrorism.

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a letter of condolence to Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

“Please accept my deepest condolences on the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in Islamabad. The killing of people during a religious ceremony is yet another testament to the barbaric and inhumane nature of terrorism,” Putin said.

“I would like to reaffirm Russia's readiness to further strengthen cooperation with our Pakistani partners in the fight against terrorism,” he said.

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in a statement said attacks against civilians and places of worship are unacceptable and those responsible must be identified and brought to justice.

“Canadians are keeping the people of Pakistan, the victims, wounded, and their loved ones in our thoughts today,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a post on X. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper called the attack “appalling” and “deeply shocking” in a social media post.

“My thoughts are with the victims, families and all affected. The UK stands with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and in support of all communities affected by such senseless violence,” she said.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei said Iran strongly condemns the attack and called for regional cooperation and continuous efforts to confront “perpetrators, organisers, supporters, and financial backers” of terrorism.

The Pakistan prime minister thanked foreign leaders for their messages of sympathy and support and vowed to pursue those behind the attack.

“The perpetrators of this heinous crime will be brought to justice with full force and their nefarious designs will never be allowed to succeed,” Shehbaz said, adding that Pakistan remains united in its resolve to defeat terrorism.

Pakistani security forces have stepped up attacks against terror networks.

They killed 216 insurgents in Balochistan recently, thwarting attacks in various locations.

At least 22 security personnel and 30 civilians died during the attacks and counterterrorism operations.

Twenty-four members of a foreign-backed terror network were killed on Wednesday and Thursday in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, the Pakistan military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Friday.

-- BERNAMA