US, UN condemn twin attacks on mosques

US state dept spokesman says terrorists disregard peaceful Islam, and govt will work towards combatting terrorism.

AKHURWALL: United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon, the European Union and the United States condemned the attacks, with Washington saying that the attacks had “brutally targeted innocent people” at places of worship.

“Whoever was responsible has demonstrated a clear disregard for the Pakistani people and for the peaceful religion they practice,” State Department spokesman Mark Toner said.

“The United States will continue to work with the government of Pakistan to combat violent extremism,” he added

The spokesperson for the United Nations (UN) Chief Ban Ki-moon informed that the UN chief has expressed dismay at the attacks.

“The secretary general condemns in the strongest possible terms, the terrorist attacks on the mosques and is dismayed by the indiscriminate killing of civilians in a place of worship which no one can justify,” the spokesperson said in a statement, adding that the UN chief has also extended condolence to the families of the victims and the Pakistani government.

Meanwhile, the death toll from a suicide bombing on the mosque in Darra Adam Khel rose to 72 on Saturday. The blast, which occurred in the Darra Adam Khel region, was followed hours later by a grenade assault on a second mosque in the same area, which killed at least four people.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 7^th, 2010.