Pakistan condemns Jeddah cemetery attack 

Saudi police close a street leading to a non-Muslim cemetery in Jeddah where a blast, on Nov. 11, 2020. (AFP)
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Updated 11 November 2020
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Pakistan condemns Jeddah cemetery attack 

  • Employee of the Greek consulate in Jeddah and a Saudi security officer were injured
  • Pakistan expresses solidarity with Saudi Arabia and support for the measures it takes to maintain its security

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday condemned a bomb attack at a cemetery in the Saudi port of Jeddah, which injured several people earlier in the morning.

The attack took place when a Remembrance Day ceremony was held at the cemetery for non-Muslims by the French consulate in the city. The annual ceremony commemorating the end of World War I was attended by several consulates. 

"Pakistan strongly condemns the violent attack that took place in a cemetery in Jeddah today, in which a number of people got injured. We wish them early recovery. Such acts of violence and extremism are reprehensible," the Pakistani foreign office said in a statement.

"The Government and the people of Pakistan stand in solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We appreciate the actions taken today by the Saudi security forces that prevented further loss of life. Pakistan supports the measures taken by the Kingdom to maintain its safety and security."

TV channel Al-Ekhbariya showed footage of the area around the cemetery and said the situation was stable as Saudi authorities secured the site. 

Makkah region authorities described the attack as “cowardly” and “unsuccessful,” and said that an employee of the Greek consulate and a Saudi security officer were injured. 

Diplomats from France, Greece, Italy, Britain and the United States were in attendance at the Armistice Day commemoration ceremony in the Red Sea port city, according to a joint statement from their embassies that condemned the "cowardly attack."

They also thanked the “brave Saudi first responders who assisted those at the scene” and pledged their support to “the Saudi authorities as they investigate this attack and prosecute its perpetrators."

A statement by the European Union delegation to Saudi Arabia expressed solidarity with the kingdom and the countries whose representatives were present at the ceremony.

“We join these countries in condemning such cowardly attack against innocent people attending a peaceful commemoration. We wish a prompt recovery to those who were injured. We thank the Saudi emergency services for their intervention at the scene and look forward to a prompt and thorough investigation of the incident and to the prosecution of its perpetrators,” the statement said.

The assault was also condemned by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Egypt, which expressed support for the kingdom to preserve its security.
 


Suicide bomber kills at least five at wedding in northwest Pakistan

Updated 23 January 2026
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Suicide bomber kills at least five at wedding in northwest Pakistan

  • Attack took place in Dera Ismail Khan, targeting the home of a local peace committee member
  • Peace committees are community-based groups that report militant activity to security forces

PESHAWAR: A suicide bomber killed at least five people and wounded 10 others after detonating explosives at a wedding ceremony in northwestern Pakistan on Friday, officials said, in an attack that underscored persistent militant violence in the country’s restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The blast took place at the home of a local peace committee member in Dera Ismail Khan district, where guests had gathered for a wedding, police and emergency officials said.

Peace committees in the region are informal, community-based groups that work with security forces to report militant activity and maintain order, making their members frequent targets of attacks.

“A blast occurred near Qureshi Moor in Dera Ismail Khan. Authorities have recovered five bodies and shifted 10 injured to hospital,” said Bilal Faizi, a spokesman for the provincial Rescue 1122 emergency service, adding that the rescue operation was ongoing.

Police said the attacker blew himself up inside the house during the ceremony and that the bomber’s head had been recovered, confirming it was a suicide attack.

Several members of the local peace committee were present at the time, raising fears the toll could rise.

District Police Officer Sajjad Ahmed Sahibzada said authorities had launched an investigation into the incident, while security forces sealed off the area.

Militant attacks have surged in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after the Taliban returned to power in neighboring

Afghanistan in 2021, with the administration in Islamabad blaming the Afghan government for “facilitating” cross-border attacks targeting Pakistani civilians and security forces. However, Kabul has repeatedly denied the allegation.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also seen frequent intelligence-based operations by security forces targeting suspected militants.

No group has immediately claimed responsibility for Friday’s attack.