In a statement released on Tuesday, Ban extended his condolences to the families of the victims of the “abhorrent attack” as well as the government of Pakistan.
The Shia Muslims were killed on Tuesday when a bus carrying passengers from Rawalpindi to the northern town of Gilgit came under attack in the mountainous region of Kohistan. Several others were injured during the attack.
The bus was carrying 39 people, mostly Shia pilgrims, coming back to their homes after visiting holy shrines in Iran.
“The United Nations stands by Pakistan in its efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism and extremism, which continues to claim the lives of so many Pakistanis,” the statement added.
Jundallah terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
On December 15, 2010, a terrorist attack in the southeastern Iranian city of Chabahar killed at least 38 people and wounded more than 90 others, including women and children. The US-backed Jundallah group later claimed responsibility for the deadly bomb attack.
Jundallah leader Abdolmalek Rigi was arrested by Iranian intelligence forces in February 2010 and executed in June of the same year for 79 counts of crimes, including armed robbery, bombing operations and armed attacks on police officers as well as civilians.
MSH/GHN/MA
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