Iran Press/ Asia: At least 60 people were killed and scores injured in two blasts in religious ceremonies in the Pakistani provinces of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Friday.
Suicide bombings targeting two mosques in Pakistan right on the birthday of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) killed at least 60 people and injured dozens.
No group claimed responsibility for the terror attacks immediately. The first blast took place in a mosque in Mastung city in the country's southwestern province of Balochistan killing at least 52 people.
The second attack took place in a mosque in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region killing five people.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa attack resulted in the collapse of the mosque and it is believed that 30 to 40 people are still trapped under the rubble.
The attack in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa involved two explosions. One took place at the mosque gate while the other was inside the mosque compound.
Eyewitnesses at the site of the Balochistan bombing told the news agency that those dead included small children. Many people at the site were preparing to take part in the procession to mark Prophet Mohammad's birthday.
President Raisi condemns terrorist blasts in Pakistan
In a message, condemning the cowardly act of terrorism in the Baluchistan region of Pakistan, the President stated, "This indiscriminate action once again showed that the terrorists, with their ignorance and distance from the merciful teachings of Islam, have no other goal than to sow discord among Muslims, which of course will fail to achieve their illegitimate and inhumane goals this time".
President's message is as follows:
In the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful
His Excellency Mr Arif Alvi,
Honorable President of Pakistan,
The cowardly terrorist explosion at the birthday celebration of the Prophet (PBUH) in the Baluchistan region of that country, which led to the death and injury of a number of innocent citizens, caused great grief and sorrow.
While condemning this terrorist, anti-religious and anti-human act, I express my sympathy and condolences to Your Excellency and the Muslim nation of Pakistan, and I pray for the victims of the accident and a speedy recovery for the injured.
This indiscriminate action once again showed that the terrorists, with their ignorance and distance from the merciful teachings of Islam, have no other goal than to sow discord among Muslims, which of course will fail to achieve their illegitimate and inhumane goals this time
I hope the perpetrators of this crime will be identified and punished for their shameful acts as soon as possible. The Islamic Republic of Iran is resolutely ready to cooperate with that country to fight against any manifestations of terrorism and extremism and calls on the international community, especially Islamic countries, to seriously react to this criminal act and prevent the repetition of such tragic events.
Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi
President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
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