Peshawar blast: US Centcom chief calls COAS Asim Munir for condolence

Peshawar blast: US Centcom chief calls COAS Asim Munir for condolence

Pakistan

Peshawar blast: US Centcom chief calls COAS Asim Munir for condolence

LAHORE (Web Desk) – US Centcom Commander Gen Michael "Erik" Kurilla rang up Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Asim Munir to express his condolence following a brazen attack in Peshawar, which has claimed more than 100 lives.

A statement issued by the US Central Command on Twitter said: “Today, General Kurilla, CENTCOM commander, called Pakistan's Chief of the Army Staff, General Asim Munir, to express his condolences to the people of Peshawar, Pakistan following Monday's terrorist attack”.

The leaders spoke about counterterrorism and border security, it added. 

On Monday, a suicide bomber blew himself up at a mosque in the Peshawar Police Lines during Zuhr prayers. The blast was so powerful that the roof of the worship place collapsed, trapping several people under the rubble.

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Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah on Tuesday told the National Assembly that the rescue operation had been completed. He confirmed that 100 people, including 97 police officials, were martyred in the attack while more than 200 people were under treatment. 

A day earlier, Gen Asim Munir chaired the 255th Corps Commanders’ Conference held at the General Headquarters (GHQ). The forum paid rich tributes to the martyrs of the Peshawar Police Lines blast and vowed that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

On the occasion, the COAS emphasised that such immoral and cowardly acts couldn't shake the nation's resolve but rather reinvigorate their determination to succeed in the ongoing war against terror with zero tolerance for any terrorist entity. 

The army chief also directed the corps commanders to continue to focus on anti-terrorism operations in coordination with the intelligence and law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) with renewed resolve till the time sustainable peace is established.