Ban decries suicide bomb attack at Islamic shrine in Pakistan

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced his strong condemnation of a suicide bombing at a religious shrine in the Pakistani city of Lahore that has reportedly killed more than 40 people and left dozens more injured.

“The deliberate targeting of a crowded place of worship makes this particularly vicious,” Mr. Ban said in a statement issued by his spokesperson.

Media reports say there were two separate explosions last night at the Data Ganj Baksh shrine, which is holy to Sufi Muslims. The bombings caused major damage to the complex.

“The Secretary-General extends his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to the Government and people of Pakistan,” today’s statement said.

Pakistan has been beset by deadly bombings and sectarian attacks in recent months, and in May three independent United Nations human rights experts issued a warning about the safety of religious minorities in the South Asian country.