We have learned with great sorrow that according to initial reports, 33 people including children lost their lives and 100 others were injured in a suicide bomb attack perpetrated in front of a bank in Jalalabad, Afghanistan.

We strongly condemn this heinous attack. We wish God's mercy on those who lost their lives, convey our condolences to their families and wish a speedy recovery to the wounded. We express once again our strong feelings of solidarity with the government and people of Afghanistan.

We reiterate our conviction that the perpetrators of this terrorist attack will not achieve their goals of dragging Afghanistan into instability and reaffirm that we will always stand by friendly and brotherly Afghanistan in its struggle against terrorism.