China condemns terror attack, offers condolences

BEIJING: Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has condemned the suicide attack in Kashmir in which at least 40 CRPF personnel were killed, saying Beijing “resolutely opposes” all forms of terrorism and countries in the region should enhance cooperation and jointly address the threat of posed by it.

At least 40 CRPF personnel were killed and many injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaishe-mohammad (JEM) suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district. In a condolence message to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Friday, Wang said he was “shocked to learn that a suicide attack was carried out in Kashmir and heavy casualties were caused”.

While extending condolences, he said “terrorism is the common enemy of mankind. The Chinese side resolutely opposes and strongly condemns all forms of terrorism”.

Expressing sympathy to the families of the victims, he said “countries in the region should enhance cooperation, jointly address the threat of terrorism and maintain regional peace and security”. Un-proscribed Pakistan-based terror group JEM has claimed responsibility for the terror attack. India has been demanding that the group’s chief Masood Azhar be designated as a global terrorist. If Azhar is listed as terrorist by the UN Security Council (UNSC), he would face a global travel ban and assets freeze.