Pakistan condemns attack on Sikh temple in Kabul

Foreign Office terms acts of terrorism targeting religious places utterly repugnant

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan on Saturday condemned the terrorist attack on a Sikh temple in Kabul that resulted in the loss of two lives, terming the acts of terrorism on religious places "utterly repugnant".

In a statement issued today, the Foreign Office noted that the attack resulted in the loss of precious lives and injuries to many others while causing destruction of property.

"Pakistan is seriously concerned at the recent spate of terrorist attacks on places of worship in Afghanistan," the communiqué released by the foreign office maintained.

It noted that yesterday, terrorists targeted the Imam Sahib mosque in Kunduz, killing and injuring many worshippers and termed the acts of terrorism targeting religious places utterly repugnant.

The foreign office reiterated Pakistan's condemnation of terrorism in all forms and manifestations.

Read Attack on Sikh temple in Afghanistan's capital Kabul kills two

"We express strong solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and support all efforts of the Afghan authorities in fighting the menace of terrorism and ensuring the protection of all their citizens," the statement concluded.

Since taking power in August, the Taliban say they have secured Afghanistan, although international officials and analysts say the risk of a resurgence in militancy remains.

Some attacks in recent months have been claimed by the Islamic State militant group.

Sikhs are a tiny religious minority in largely Muslim Afghanistan, comprising about 300 families before the country fell to the Taliban. But many left afterwards, say members of the community and media.

Like other religious minorities, Sikhs have been a continual target of violence in Afghanistan. An attack at another temple in Kabul in 2020 that killed 25 was claimed by Islamic State.

(With additional input from Reuters)