Pakistan hit by attack on Christian colony and court bombing
PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Northwestern Pakistan was struck by two separate militant attacks hours apart on Friday that left at least 13 people dead.
Gunmen wearing suicide vests stormed a Christian colony near the town of Peshawar, killing one civilian in that attack. A suicide bomber struck a district court in the town of Mardan, killing 12 people and wounding 54 others.
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif issued statements condemning both attacks, saying that “these cowardly attacks cannot shatter our unflinching resolve in our war against terrorism.”
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned the two “terrorist attacks” and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. Ban also extended “heartfelt condolences” to the victims and their families, and expressed “solidarity with the people and government of Pakistan,” his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.