Monitoring Desk
BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday strongly condemned the bombing at a mosque in neighbouring Pakistan’s Peshawar city, state media reported Wednesday, after rescue operation ended with the death toll at 101.
The suicide blast on Monday in Peshawar city struck inside a police headquarters as hundreds of police officers gathered for afternoon prayers.
The Peshawar city’s police chief said Tuesday that the attack was revenge for the police’s frontline operations against militants.
Xi strongly condemns Peshawar blast
In a call with Pakistan’s President Dr Arif Alvi on Wednesday, President Xi Jinping said China “opposes every form of terrorism and strongly condemns the attack,” according to state broadcaster CCTV.
China “will continue to support Pakistan in strengthening its national counter-terrorism action plan (NAP), protecting the safety of the people, and maintaining social stability,” President Xi said.
Pakistan and China are longtime allies, with their leaders frequently appreciating what they call an “iron brotherhood”.
In recent years, China has financed development projects in Pakistan and worked with Pakistan to combat terrorism and improve security.
But sporadic attacks on Chinese nationals have also taken place, including a suicide blast last year targeting staff at a Confucius Institute in Karachi.
