UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations condemned the terrorist attack in Balochistan against a Quetta-Peshawar passenger train in which armed militants took a number of hostages, including women and children, and called for their immediate release.

“We’ve just seen the reports; we, of course, condemn any hostage taking, and we call on those who’ve taken people hostage to release them at once,”

The UN Secretary-General’s Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, said in response to a question at the regular noon briefing in New York.

“But,” he added, “We’re going to keep following the situation as it evolves.”

According to media reports, Pakistani security forces are conducting a rescue operation for passengers taken hostages and a number of them have already been freed. The operation would continue till the aggressors were eliminated, the reports said.

On the other hand, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Ismail Baghaei has strongly condemned the hostage-taking incident involving a passenger train in Balochistan, expressing deep concern over the endangerment of innocent civilians.

In an official statement, Baghaei reaffirmed Iran’s principled stance against all forms of terrorism and violent extremism. He extended solidarity with the government and people of Pakistan during this difficult time.

Furthermore, he reiterated Iran’s readiness to provide any necessary assistance to help end the terrorist act and ensure the safety of those affected.

Meanwhile, Iranian embassy in Islamabad has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a passenger train in Balochistan, where innocent civilians including women, children, and the elderly were taken hostage.

The embassy denounced the assault as a ‘cowardly crime against humanity’ emphasizing that targeting civilians and disrupting vital transportation infrastructure constitutes a grave violation of human rights and international norms.