Pakistan condemns 'cowardly attack' on Iraqi PM's residence

Islamabad expresses solidarity with govt and people of Iraq, condemns terrorism in all its forms

Pakistan on Sunday condemned the targeting of Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi’s residence in Baghdad by a drone laden with explosives.

In a statement, the Foreign Office termed it a matter of relief that the Iraqi premier remained safe in what was believed to be an assassination bid.

Pakistan, the statement added, stands in solidarity with the brotherly government and people of Iraq.

Islamabad has extended "heartfelt sympathies to the injured and pray for their early recovery", FO said while reiterating Pakistan's strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

The attack, which security sources said injured several members of Kadhimi's personal protection detail, came after protests in the Iraqi capital over the result of a general election last month turned violent.

A spokesperson for the commander in chief of the Iraqi armed forces said the security situation was stable inside Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, which houses government buildings and foreign embassies, after the drone attack.

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Images published by the state news agency INA showed damage to some parts of the prime minister's residence and a damaged SUV vehicle parked in the garage.

Remains of a small explosive-laden drone used in the attack were retrieved by security forces to be investigated, a security official with knowledge of the attack told Reuters.

"It's premature now to say who carried out the attack," the security official on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to comment on security details. "We're checking our intelligence reports and waiting for initial investigation results to point the finger at perpetrators."

The groups leading protests and complaints about the result of the October 10 vote are heavily armed Iran-backed militias which lost much of their parliamentary power in the election. They have alleged voting and vote-counting irregularities.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack on Kadhimi's residence in the Green Zone.

(With additional input from Reuters)