Putin Calls Islamabad Mosque Attack Brutal, Offers Help to Pakistan

Russian President Vladimir Putin/PHOTO via Instagram @russian_kremlin

JAKARTA - Russian President Vladimir Putin called the deadly attack on a mosque in Islamabad a "barbaric" act in a message of condolence sent to Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Putin expressed his solidarity with the people of Pakistan.

"The killing of people while performing religious worship is further evidence of the barbaric and inhumane nature of terrorism," Putin said, expressing condolences for the attack targeting the congregation, as reported by the Kremlin, reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Saturday, February 7.

The Russian leader said Moscow was ready to "further expand cooperation with Pakistani partners in the field of counterterrorism", which marked readiness to strengthen security coordination between the two countries.

Putin also asked for "his sincere sympathy and support" to be conveyed to the families and relatives of the dead, and prayed for a speedy recovery for all the injured.

Pakistani authorities said at least 31 people were killed and 169 others were injured in a suicide bombing attack on Imambargah Khadijah-tul-Kubra, a Shiite Muslim place of worship in the Shehzad Town area of Islamabad. The perpetrator detonated explosives after being intercepted by security forces.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs also stated that the bombing was "unwarranted" and expressed condolences for the loss of life.

New Delhi rejected Islamabad's claims of Indian involvement in the attack, calling the allegations "baseless" and "meaningless".

Previously, Prime Minister Sharif's spokesman, Mosharraf Zaidi, accused India of masterminding the attack, saying such actions would not undermine Pakistan's economic recovery or diplomatic position.

India denied the allegations and said Pakistan should not "fool itself by blaming others".