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1st LD Writethru: UN chief condemns suicide bombing near polio center in Pakistan

Xinhua, January 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday condemned the suicide bombing close to a polio eradication center in Quetta, Pakistan, which reportedly killed at least 15 people and wounded 25 others.

Earlier on Wednesday, at least 14 security personnel and one civilian were killed in an explosion targeting an anti-polio campaign in Quetta city of Pakistan's southwest Balochistan province.

According to local authorities, a suicide bomber detonated about seven to eight kilograms of explosives in the attack.

"The Secretary-General reiterates that nothing justifies terrorism," said a statement released by Ban's spokesperson. "He urges the Government of Pakistan to take all necessary measures to swiftly bring to justice the perpetrators of such attacks."

"The Secretary-General extends his condolences to the families of the victims and wishes the injured a speedy recovery," the statement added.

The attack was targeted at the security personnel who were providing security to the staff in a three-day anti-polio campaign launched in the Balochistan province Monday.

A total of 2.4 million children, including more than 55,000 children of Afghan refugees under the age of five, had to be immunized under the campaign. The campaign in Quetta has been suspended following the blast. Endit