Istanbul airport attack: IS prime suspect after suicide bombers kill 41

Pakistan strongly condemned the Istanbul blast as a “mindless act of terrorism”


Reuters June 30, 2016
A view of the entrance of the Ataturk international airport after two suicide bombers opened fire before blowing themselves up at the entrance, in Istanbul, Turkey June 28, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISTANBUL: Turkish investigators pored over video footage and witness statements on Wednesday after three suspected Islamic State suicide bombers opened fire and blew themselves up in Istanbul’s main airport, killing 41 people and wounding 239.

The attack on Europe’s third-busiest airport was the deadliest in a series of suicide bombings this year in Turkey, part of the US-led coalition against Da’ish (Arabic acronym for the Islamic State) and struggling to contain spillover from neighbouring Syria’s war.

President Tayyip Erdogan said the attack should serve as a turning point in the global fight against terrorism, which he said had “no regard for faith or values”.

US President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin condemned it in separate phone calls with Erdogan, his office said.

Pakistan strongly condemned the Istanbul blast as a “mindless act of terrorism”.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, while expressing solidarity with the people of Turkey, said Pakistan condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

Later, in a separate statement, the Foreign Office said that Pakistan stands in “strong solidarity with the fraternal people of Turkey in their fight against terrorism.”

“There is no doubt that this scourge would be decisively defeated with Turkey’s iron will and unshakeable resolve.”

Pakistan also welcomed the thaw in relations between Turkey and Russia.

“We fully support the wise steps being taken by the leaders of the two countries to normalise relations.”

In a statement, Islamabad said that normalisation of relations between Turkey and Russia would be helpful in reducing tensions in the region and effectively dealing with regional and global challenges including the menace of terrorism.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30th, 2016.

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