A suicide bomber blew himself up in the mosque — which is in a tightly guarded police compound — on Monday at around 1 pm during the Zuhr prayers, causing the roof to come crashing down upon those who were offering the prayers at that time. The death toll from the suicide bombing rose to 90, with over 100 people wounded.
The horrific suicide attack at a mosque in Peshawar has caused an uproar in the Pakistani nation. The Peshawar mosque attack has also made international headlines with the world community denouncing the attack.
Governments of several countries have also released statements, condemning the Peshawar mosque suicide attack, while expressing solidarity with Pakistan and expressing condolences to the victims.
Read more: Nation in uproar over Peshawar mosque suicide blast
Reacting to the Peshawar bombing, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday that terrorism, for any reason, was indefensible. In a separate statement, the US Embassy in Islamabad assured that “the United States stands with Pakistan in condemning all forms of terrorism.”
Worshipers at a mosque in Peshawar endured a horrific attack today, which killed and injured many. Terrorism for any reason at any place is indefensible. I extend my deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims. https://t.co/bPvvcKdwfN
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) January 30, 2023
“I condemn the attack on a mosque in Peshawar which resulted in so many casualties and injuries. My deep condolences to the families of the victims. Places of worship have their sanctity in our religion and none has the right to violate it,” the Afghan Taliban spokesperson Suhail Shaheen said on Twitter.
I condemn the attack on a mosque in Peshawar which resulted in so many casualties and injuries. My deep condolences to the families of the victims. Places of worships have their sanctity in our religion and none has right to violate it.
— Suhail Shaheen. محمد سهیل شاهین (@suhailshaheen1) January 30, 2023
The Russian foreign minister also condemned the terrorist attack and called for global cooperation to eliminate terrorism.
The Embassy of China, on behalf of the Chinese government, strongly condemned the terror attack at the Peshawar mosque and offered deep condolences to the victims injured and the tragedy and their families.
Embassy of China strongly condemns the terrorist attack at the mosque in Peshawar. We feel deeply grieved and pay our deepest condolences to the families of victims and injured of the tragedy.
— Chinese Emb Pakistan (@CathayPak) January 31, 2023
“We condemn this heinous terrorist attack in the strongest possible terms. We wish Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives; extend our condolences to the friendly and brotherly people and the Government of Pakistan, and wish speedy recovery to the injured,” Turkey said.
Read more: 17 martyred, over 90 injured in suicide blast at Peshawar Police Lines mosque
Press Release Regarding the Terrorist Attack Targeting a Mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan https://t.co/yHOOaQzv6o pic.twitter.com/2a7xeUEpHH
— Turkish MFA (@MFATurkiye) January 30, 2023
“The news of the deadly attack at a mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan is deeply troubling. There is no place for violence like this, especially at a place of worship. My heart is with the victims, their families, and Pakistani communities around the world,” Melanie Joly, Canada’s Foreign Minister said.
The news of the deadly attack at a mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan is deeply troubling. There is no place for violence like this, especially at a place of worship.
My heart is with the victims, their families and Pakistani communities around the world.
— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) January 30, 2023
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also released a detailed statement, condemning the terror attack at the Peshawar mosque in the strongest words.
“The Ministry stresses the Kingdom’s firm position that rejects targeting places of worship and terrorizing and shedding the blood of innocent people. The Ministry also affirms that the Kingdom stands by the brotherly Islamic Republic of Pakistan against all forms of violence, extremism, and terrorism regardless of its motives or justifications,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry said.
#Statement | The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist attack that took place at a mosque in #Peshawar, Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/AP9m4U2T6U
— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) January 30, 2023
In a similar fashion, the UN Security Council also condemned ” in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly suicide terrorist attack at a mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan”. Members of the UN Security Council expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to the victims and the Pakistani government. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also denounced the blast.
The members of the UN Security Council:
🔹Condemn in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly suicide terrorist attack at a mosque in Peshawar, #Pakistan.
🔹Express their deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government of Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/Dimtnj2V5F
— SwitzerlandUN (@swiss_un) January 31, 2023