By Merve Aydogan
HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - The UN Security Council on Friday condemned in the "strongest terms" the Feb. 6 suicide bombing that targeted a Shia mosque in Pakistan's capital Islamabad.
"The members of the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms the heinous and cowardly suicide bombing terrorist attack ... This reprehensible act of terrorism resulted in the grievous loss of at least 32 Pakistani nationals and 92 injured," a statement by members of the Security Council members said.
Extending condolences to the families of the victims and wishing a "speedy and full recovery" to those injured, the statement said: "The members of the Security Council reaffirmed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security."
"The members of the Security Council underlined the need to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism accountable and bring them to justice," it added, urging all member states "to cooperate actively with the Government of Pakistan in this regard."
Reiterating that "any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed," the members also noted "the need for all States to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and other obligations under international law, including international human rights law, international refugee law and international humanitarian law, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts."
At least 32 people were killed, and 169 others injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the Khadija Tul Kubra Imambargah last week.
Pakistan said it arrested four facilitators, with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi saying "terrorist organizations are operating from Afghanistan," and accused India of providing them financial support.
Both India and Afghanistan have denied any involvement in the attack.
The bombing was the second major attack in Islamabad in less than three months.