ISLAMABAD: Pakistan expresses deep concern over the recent spate of terrorist attacks in various parts of Afghanistan over the last few days, said a statement by the Foreign Office.
The heinous attacks include bomb blasts at mosques in Mazar-e-Sharif and IED blasts in Kabul, Jalalabad and other places yesterday. Today, another despicable terrorist attack at a mosque in Kunduz has also resulted in loss of precious lives while injuring many others.
Pakistan strongly condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. It s said the recent incidents “indicate importance of support and cooperation with Afghan interim government for eliminating the scourge of terrorism and achieving lasting peace and stability in Afghanistan.:
The statement added that the government and the people of Pakistan extend deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of those who have lost lives in these terrorist attacks and pray for speedy recovery of those injured. The people of Pakistan stand in strong solidarity with their Afghan brethren in this time of grief, it added.
Friday explosion
An explosion tore through a mosque near the northern Afghan city of Kunduz on Friday killing at least 33 people and wounding dozens of others.
“The blast occurred at a mosque in Imam Sahib district of Kunduz killing 33 civilians including children,” Information Minister Zabihullah Mujahid said on Twitter, adding another 43 people were wounded. “We condemn this crime … and express our deepest condolences to the victims,” said Mujahid.
Friday’s bombing is the latest in a series of deadly attacks across Afghanistan. It was not clear who was behind the attack, which came after several blasts claimed by the armed group ISIS rocked Afghanistan, including one in Kunduz and another on a Shia mosque in Mazar-i-Sharif on Thursday.
Earlier Thursday, a roadside bomb exploded near a boys school in the Afghan capital of Kabul, injuring two children in the city’s predominately Shia neighbourhood. third bomb in Kunduz wounded 11 mechanics working for the country’s Taliban rulers.
Friday’s blast was one of the biggest attacks since the Taliban seized power in August last year. UN’s Special Rapporteur for Afghanistan on human rights Richard Bennett condemned the attacks.
“Today, more explosions rocks Afghanistan … Systematic targeted attacks on crowded schools and mosques calls for immediate investigation, accountability and end to such human rights violations,” he said in a tweet.