UN, US, UK outraged at Peshawar blast

UNITED NATIONS/WASHINGTON/LONDON: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday said he was outraged by the “appalling” bomb attack in Peshawar. Ban condemned the “appalling bomb attack in Peshawar today” and said, “I want to express my outrage at the loss of so many innocent lives.” Around 100 people died when a huge car bomb ripped through a crowded market in the city, tearing down buildings. The attack occurred shortly after US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrived in the country to bolster the two countries’ alliance against the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Underscoring the challenge, terrorists also stormed a UN compound in the Afghan capital Kabul, killing at least five employees of the world body. Separately, the White House condemned the terrorist attack in Peshawar and expressed condolences to the victims, Reuters reported. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said the bombing showed the extent to which terrorists were willing to go and the type of threat they posed for both Pakistan and the US. British Foreign Secretary David Miliband called the attack in Peshawar “despicable”. “We utterly condemn this despicable and indiscriminate attack against the Pakistani people. Our thoughts and condolences go to the victims and their families,” Miliband said in a statement, AFP reported. “The UK will continue to support Pakistan in its efforts to counter the threat it faces from violent extremism,” he added.