Ban condemns attack near Gilgit

UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned a deadly sectarian attack in north-western Pakistan on Thursday, which reportedly left more than 20 people dead, according to his spokesperson.

According to media reports, armed men ambushed three buses near the city of Gilgit on Thursday, forced passengers off the vehicles and then shot 22 people. Some reports note that Pakistani Taliban militants have claimed responsibility for the attack.

The Secretary-General expresses his outrage over such deliberate attacks on people due to their religious beliefs in Pakistan, the secretary-general’s spokes-person said.

He extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Pakistan.