Pakistan condemns attack on Shiites in Kabul

Pakistan on Wednesday strongly condemned terrorist attacks on a gathering of Shiite Muslims in the Afghan capital of Kabul, which killed and injured dozens of people.

Afghan officials have confirmed that at least 16 people were killed and over 50 injured Tuesday night after gunmen attacked Sakhi shrine and Charyar Mosque in Kabul, where hundreds of mourners were gathered to pay homage to the grandson of Prophet Muhammad.

"The brutal acts have resulted in the loss of precious human lives and injuries to scores of innocent people. Pakistan reiterates its condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," the Foreign Ministry here said in a statement.

The statement said Pakistan extends its profound condolences to the Afghan government and the people of Afghanistan and sympathies with the families of those who lost their loved ones in these dreadful terrorist attacks.

The Taliban denied its involvement and its spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on an official Twitter that the "attack on the shrine has nothing to do with us."

Officials suspected Islamic State (IS) could be behind the attack as the group had targeted the Shiites in the past.

In July, IS suicide bombers struck a procession of the Shiite Hazara community in Kabul, leaving about 80 people killed and over 200 injured. Endit