Ban condemns murder of bus passengers in Pakistan

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon strongly condemned the attack in Pakistan earlier today in which gunmen reportedly killed 18 people after ordering them off a bus travelling between the capital, Islamabad, and the northern town of Gilgit.

Mr. Ban extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the “abhorrent attack,” as well as to the Government of Pakistan, according to a statement issued his spokesperson.

“The United Nations stands by Pakistan in its efforts to combat the scourge of terrorism and extremism, which continues to claim the lives of so many Pakistanis,” the statement added.

Media reports indicated that the assailants checked the identity cards of the passengers apparently to single out those who were killed, suggesting that it was a case of sectarian violence. Some 27 other passengers on the bus were not harmed, according to the reports.