Attack on a Sufi shrine in Pakistan

We are deeply saddened by the news of yet another suicide bombing in a Sufi shrine in Pakistan that has left 70 people dead and over 150 badly injured. This time the IS has claimed responsibility for the attack. It follows another deadly attack in the same week, claimed by an Al Qaida faction, in Lahore, that left 13 people dead and dozens injured, again by a suicide bomber.

Pakistan is hardly new to terrorism and has been constantly reeling from one terrorist attack after another leaving hundreds of innocent people dead and maimed. The recent bombing on a Thursday, when a large number of devotees would be present, shows that the intention was to cause the maximum number of casualties. That a Sufi shrine was attacked is no coincidence. The shrine in question was a symbol of tolerance and peaceful coexistence - basic values of Sufism. Thus the assault is on any kind of divergence from what these terrorists consider to be the true faith. Other terrorist attacks have been on Christian minorities, people of the Shia community or police and other public officials. It is clear that despite all the strong rhetoric by the Pakistan government that they will not tolerate such terrorism, so far there seems to be little progress in curbing these deadly militant outfits that seem to be getting bolder.

In Bangladesh, we too have faced militant attacks and it is important that we are more vigilant and equipped to fight terror which has the tendency to spread from one country to another. Religious militancy destroys cultural diversity and religion itself through distortions and lies and therefore has to be completely eradicated. We laud our government's commitment to fighting militancy, a fight that must continue with vigour, sincerity and determination. We express our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who have perished in these mindless, cowardly acts of terror.