Pakistan condemns 'heinous' Moscow attack

By
Web Desk

March 23, 2024

Vehicles of Russian emergency services are parked near the burning Crocus City Hall concert venue following a reported shooting incident, outside Moscow, Russia, March 22, 2024. — Reuters
Vehicles of Russian emergency services are parked near the burning Crocus City Hall concert venue following a reported shooting incident, outside Moscow, Russia, March 22, 2024. — Reuters

  • "Pakistan stands with Russia in difficult time," PM says.
  • FO expresses deepest sympathy to families of victims.
  • Terror attack by Daesh kills more than 60 concertgoers.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Saturday condemned the "heinous" attack that left Moscow terrorised after gunmen opened fire at a concert hall in the Russian capital's outskirts.

The condemnation statement posted by the premier on X, formerly Twitter, stated: "I strongly condemn the heinous attack in Moscow last night that has resulted in the loss of many precious lives."

The prime minister also conveyed his "heartfelt condolences" to the families of the victims.

PM Shehbaz added that Pakistan stands with Russia during "this difficult time".

A screengrab of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharifs post on X. — X/@CMShehbaz
A screengrab of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's post on X. — X/@CMShehbaz

The Foreign Office also "strongly condemned" the attack with Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, on behalf of the government, expressing Pakistan's deepest sympathy to the families of the victims.

"We strongly condemn the attack on a concert hall in Moscow,' the statement read.

Baloch added that Pakistan stands with Russian people and government in this difficult time.

More than 60 people have been killed and over 145 remain injured after armed gunmen opened fire at concertgoers at the Crocus City Hall located in the outskirts of Moscow.

At least 60 among those injured in the attack, which took place on Friday, are in critical condition.

The attackers targeted people moments before Soviet-era rock group "Picnic" was to perform to a full house at the 6,200-seat the Crocus City Hall located West of the Russian capital.

The terrorist attack, for which militant group Daesh has taken responsibility, is the deadliest terror incident in Russia since the 2004 Beslan school siege wherein militants had taken more than 1,000 people hostage.

Russian President Vladimir Putin was being updated by security chiefs about the situation, including from Alexander Bortnikov, the head of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the Kremlin said.

Russian investigators published pictures of a Kalashnikov automatic weapon, vests with multiple spare magazines and bags of spent bullet casings.