Pakistan strongly condemns attack at Sikh temple in Kabul

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Wednesday strongly condemned the terror attack at a Sikh temple in the Afghan capital Kabul in which at least 25 people lost their lives.

According to a statement released by Foreign Office, Pakistan strongly condemns the heinous terrorist attack on a Gurdwara in Kabul, which resulted in the loss of precious lives and injuries to several worshippers.

“Such despicable attacks have no political, religious or moral justification and must be rejected outright,” added the statment. “Our hearts go out to the families who have lost their loved ones in this inhuman act and we pray for the swiftest recovery of the injured. We also express our abiding solidarity with the fraternal people of Afghanistan.”

The statement added that Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, and all places of worship are sacrosanct and their sanctity must be respected at all times.

At least 25 people were killed and more than eight others were wounded as unidentified gunmen raided a Sikh place of worship in the Shorbazar area of Kabul in the Afghan capital.

According to Afghan media, the incident began around 7:45 am local time in Kabul city, and 80 people including women and children were rescued. Security forces and foreign troops responded and killed all of the attackers.

A Taliban spokesman denied responsibility for the attack despite Sikhs been the target of militants in the country. Local reporters heard explosions in the area before security forces responded and transferred victims of the attack by ambulance to hospitals.

Several hours after the early morning attack was launched, Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman said an operation by the security forces was over and all of the attackers had been killed. The ministry later confirmed 25 people who had been in the religious compound had been killed, eight wounded and 80 rescued.