Turkey condemns terror attacks in Pakistan, Afghanistan

By Nilay Kar Onum and Ahmet Furkan Mercan

ISTANBUL

Turkey condemned on Friday three separate terrorist attacks in Pakistan and neighboring Afghanistan which killed scores of people

“We have received the news with great sorrow that a bomb blast took place at a marketplace today in the Orakzai district of Peshawar in Pakistan, resulting in the loss of lives of many and leaving many others wounded, [and] a terrorist attack on the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China also perpetrated today in Karachi, causing the death of Pakistani security officers,” said Turkey’s Foreign Ministry in a written statement.

At least 30 people were killed and 40 others injured in the bomb attack near a religious seminary in Kalaya in the Orakzai tribal district, northwestern Pakistan, on Friday.

Separately, an armed attack on the Chinese Consulate in Pakistan’s commercial capital of Karachi on Friday morning killed at least seven people.

“We condemn these heinous terrorist attacks and wish Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives, a speedy recovery to the wounded, and convey our condolences to the friendly Government and the brotherly people of Pakistan,” the ministry said.

Afghanistan attack

Turkey also condemned a terror attack in Afghanistan’s Khost province which killed 10 soldiers and injured 15 others.

“We have received the news with great sorrow that a terror attack took place at a mosque in the Afghan National Army base in the Mandozai district of the Khost province today during Friday prayers, resulting in the loss of lives of many soldiers and leaving many others wounded,” said another Foreign Ministry statement.

“We strongly condemn this terrorist attack. We wish Allah’s mercy upon who lost their lives and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded, and convey our condolences to the friendly Government and the brotherly people of Afghanistan,” the statement added.