At least 31 people have been killed and scores wounded in a suicide bombing at a mosque in Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad, during Friday prayers, prompting widespread international condemnation.
Pakistani authorities said the attacker struck as worshippers gathered, injuring more than 170 people.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif alleged involvement by India and Afghanistan, claims that were swiftly rejected by both countries.
Kabul and New Delhi also condemned the attack and offered condolences to the victims and their families.
Regional leaders were among the first to respond. Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev conveyed condolences to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to official statements.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar also spoke by phone. Bayramov conveyed condolences on behalf of Azerbaijan’s president, government and people, and expressed solidarity with Pakistan.
Dar condemned the attack and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to combating terrorism.
Russian President Vladimir Putin described the bombing as “barbaric”, extending condolences to Pakistan’s leadership and the families of the victims. He said Russia was ready to support Pakistan in counterterrorism efforts, according to the Kremlin.
China’s embassy in Islamabad said Beijing stood “firmly with our Pakistani brothers and sisters in this difficult time”, expressing condolences in a message on the U.S. social media platform X.
Türkiye’s foreign ministry condemned the attack and expressed solidarity with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism, in a statement posted on Turkish social media platform NSosyal.
Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baqaei said preventing and combating terrorism required “the cooperation and coordination of all countries in the region”, alongside sustained efforts to confront its perpetrators, organisers, supporters and financial backers.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar also condemned the bombing, with their foreign ministries voicing firm opposition to violence against places of worship in separate messages on X.
Somalia’s foreign ministry similarly condemned “violence against civilians and places of worship”.
The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the attack in the “strongest terms”, saying assaults on civilians and religious sites were “unacceptable”, according to his spokesperson.
European leaders and diplomats also reacted. The French embassy in Pakistan said, “We stand with Pakistan in opposing all forms of terrorism”. German Ambassador to Pakistan Ina Lepel said she hoped those responsible would be found and “brought to justice”, adding, “We mourn the loss of life”.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Britain “stands with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and in support of all communities affected by such senseless violence”.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he was “horrified” by the attack and that Canadians were keeping the people of Pakistan, the victims, the wounded and their loved ones “in our thoughts today”.
Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan Timothy Kane said Australia stood with Pakistan during the difficult time and mourned alongside the country.
The U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker said the people of Pakistan “deserve safety, dignity, and the ability to practise their faith without fear”, adding that Washington remained committed to supporting Pakistan’s efforts to advance peace, security and regional stability.
Iran and Israel said on Monday (8 June) they had halted attacks on each other following an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump, as Axios reported...
A Sudanese man has been arrested over a knife attack in Belfast that left a man seriously injured and prompted calls online for a protest after footag...
The United Nations has warned that Afghanistan's relative stability may not be sustainable unless the country's current authorities change policies af...
Iran's FIFA World Cup 2026 squad arrived in Mexico wearing badges bearing the hashtag "168" in memory of victims of the deadly Minab school missile st...
Chinese President Xi Jinping is wrapping up a two-day state visit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. It was his first trip to the cou...
Iran and Israel said on Monday (8 June) they had halted attacks on each other following an appeal from U.S. President Donald Trump, as Axios reported that Trump had privately told Benjamin Netanyahu “be careful, or you will be on your own very soon”.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships Natra and Zircon in the Sea of Azov. In a statement, it said four Azerbaijani citizens were killed and four others were injured.
A Sudanese man has been arrested over a knife attack in Belfast that left a man seriously injured and prompted calls online for a protest after footage of the incident circulated widely on social media.
Iran's FIFA World Cup 2026 squad arrived in Mexico wearing badges bearing the hashtag "168" in memory of victims of the deadly Minab school missile strike, which occurred during the U.S. and Israeli raids on Iran on 28 February, according to the Iran Football Federation.
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Civil Contract party has won the Armenian elections, picking up nearly half the vote. With a majority in parliament, Pashinyan is set for a third term as Prime Minister. But an opposition politican has said he will challenge the election results.
The results of Armenia’s parliamentary elections will determine the makeup of the National Assembly and shape the country's political direction for the foreseeable future. But in Armenia, the final result is not decided by vote percentages alone. Here's how it works.
Barcelona is preparing to mark a historic milestone in the legacy of architect Antoni Gaudí as Pope Leo XIV visits the city this week to inaugurate the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Família basilica, almost exactly 100 years after the visionary architect’s death.
A Sudanese man has been arrested over a knife attack in Belfast that left a man seriously injured and prompted calls online for a protest after footage of the incident circulated widely on social media.
Iran and Israel have halted strikes on each other, but Tehran has warned it will recommence attacks if Israel continues military action in Lebanon. U.S. President Donald Trump and Lebanese President Joseph Aoun have meanwhile made pleas for peace.
Iran's FIFA World Cup 2026 squad arrived in Mexico wearing badges bearing the hashtag "168" in memory of victims of the deadly Minab school missile strike, which occurred during the U.S. and Israeli raids on Iran on 28 February, according to the Iran Football Federation.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is wrapping up a two-day state visit with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Pyongyang. It was his first trip to the country since 2019, and a visit that carries more strategic weight than its carefully choreographed ceremonies might suggest.
A Sudanese man has been arrested over a knife attack in Belfast that left a man seriously injured and prompted calls online for a protest after footage of the incident circulated widely on social media.
A Paris court has dismissed criminal charges against New Caledonian pro-independence leader Christian Téin, ending a high-profile case that drew international attention and renewed scrutiny of France’s handling of independence movements in its overseas territories.
Russian drone and missile attacks on Ukraine's north-eastern Kharkiv region killed a pregnant woman and two other people, Ukrainian officials said on Tuesday, as renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war continued.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment