Iran condemns Pakistan’s terrorist attacks
‘Terrorists aim to sow discord among Muslims’
Iran has strongly condemned twin terrorist attacks on mosques west of Pakistan on Friday, saying that the “blind” actions indicate that “the terrorists aim to sow discord among Muslims”.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi, in a message to his Pakistani counterpart Arif Alvi, expressed his sympathy with the government and people of Pakistan.
Raeisi expressed hope that the perpetrators of the attacks would be identified and punished as soon as possible. He said that Tehran is ready to cooperate with Islamabad in the fight against terrorism and extremism. He also asked the international community, especially Islamic countries, to seriously react to this criminal act and prevent the repetition of such tragic events.
At least 57 people were killed and more than 60 others were injured after suicide bombings ripped through two mosques in Pakistan, police and health officials said.
No group has claimed responsibility for the blasts, one of which trapped dozens of people under rubble, media said, according to Reuters.
The first blast, in the southwestern province of Balochistan, killed 52 people, according to a district health official, Abdul Rasheed.
“The bomber detonated himself near a police vehicle near Madina Mosque where people were gathering for a procession,” added senior police official Munir Ahmed.
The second attack, in neighboring northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, killed five people at a mosque, according to rescue officials.