UN Security Council strongly condemns 'heinous, cowardly terrorist attacks' on eve of Pakistan's elections

By Diyar Guldogan

WASHINGTON (AA) - Members of the UN Security Council on Thursday strongly condemned "heinous and cowardly terrorist attacks" on the eve of Pakistan's general elections, resulting in multiple casualties.

"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 council said in a statement.

The statement came a day after two separate blasts rocked Balochistan’s Pishin and Qila Saifullah areas, killing at least 26 people and injuring more than 45 others.

The council expressed their deepest condolences to the families of the victims and to the government of Pakistan, and they wished a speedy and full recovery to the injured.

"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 said, urging all states, in line with their obligations under international law and relevant council resolutions, to cooperate actively with Pakistan.

"The members of the Security Council reiterated that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed," it said.

The 15-member council reaffirmed the need for all states to combat by all means, in accordance with the UN Charter 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.