Sharif calls for coordinated anti-terror approach after Kabul attack

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the deadliest suicide attack on Tuesday in Kabul and called for coordinated approach with Afghanistan to counter the common threat.

Taliban claimed the responsibility for the attack on a sub office of the Afghan intelligence agency, the National Directorate of Security.

Kabul Police Chief Abdul Rahman Rahimi told reporters that death toll has risen to 28 while 327 others wounded.

Nawaz Sharif sent condolences to President Ashraf Ghani over the human losses in what he called as the “heinous terrorist attack in Kabul”.

“On behalf of the people and the Government of Pakistan and my own behalf, I strongly condemn this brutal act and offer my heartfelt condolences to Your Excellency and the bereaved families, ” Sharif said.

He said such incidents continue to remind us that the scourge of terrorism remains a major threat to peace and stability of the two countries, societies and the region.

“It serves as a tool for perpetuation of senseless violence in our societies inflicting immense pain and suffering to the people. Eliminating this menace requires firm resolve as well as coordinated approach on our part,” the Pakistan prime minister said.

Afghan officials say the powerful blast also destroyed several buildings around the site. It shattered windows of dozens of buildings and smashed the glasses of the buildings at the nearby business district.

–IANS