Beijing firmly supports Islamabad in safeguarding national security and stability, says its foreign ministry
DNA
BEIJING: China on Sunday condemned an attack on a mosque in Islamabad, pledging support for the government’s efforts to “maintain national security and stability”.
“China is deeply shocked by the deadly explosion in Islamabad and the heavy casualties it has inflicted. China mourns for the lives lost, and our hearts go out to the injured and those who lost their loved ones,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
“China strongly condemns the attack, opposes any form of terrorism and firmly supports the Pakistani government in safeguarding national security and stability and protecting the safety of the people,” it added.
The condemnation comes in the wake of the deadly attack at Imambargah and Mosque Khadijat-ul-Kubra in Islamabad’s Tarlai area during Friday prayers, which left at least 33 people martyred and dozens injured.
The suicide bomber opened fire before detonating himself at the entrance of the imambargah.
Investigators said they recovered the suspected bomber’s identity card at the blast site, which showed his name as Yasir, 32, a resident of Peshawar, according to the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra).
They added that the attacker had been living in Afghanistan for the past five months, where he received training in the use of weapons and suicide bombing.
