PARIS: At least 160 people are believed to be dead after terrorists wielding AK47s and hurling explosives executed 118 people inside a Paris concert hall and slaughtered 40 more people throughout the city, rocking the French capital. The French prosecutor’s office believes all of the attackers are dead and seven of eight assailants died in suicide bombings.
On a night when thousands of Paris residents and tourists were reveling and fans were enjoying a soccer match between France and world champion Germany, horror struck in an unprecedented manner. Terrorists some with AK-47s, some reportedly with bombs strapped to them, attacked sites throughout the French capital and at the stadium where the soccer match was underway.
Later, French president François Hollande visited the attacked concert hall and while speaking to media persons said France is going to fight the terrorists. “France will be merciless in its fight against terrorists,” he said.
Describing the attacks as barbaric, he said the French nation will continue to stand united and firm against the terrorists.
He termed the attacks in Paris most significant and declared state of emergency across the country.
Hollande announced to seal French borders in a bid to stop the attackers from fleeing and called for military reinforcements to bring the situation under control.
US President Barack Obama spoke with French President Francois Hollande to offer condolences and assistance in the investigation, the White House said. Earlier, Obama said, “This is an attack not just on Paris, not just on the people on France, but an attack on all humanity and the universal values we share.” He called the attacks an “outrageous attempt to terrorize innocent civilians.”
A total of six locations were attacked in and just outside the capital, Paris prosecutor François Molins told reporters Saturday.
France has declared a national state of emergency and tightened borders after a night of gun and bomb attacks in Paris.
Police believed all of the gunmen were dead but it was unclear if any accomplices were still on the run after the string of near-simultaneous attacks.
Paris residents have been asked to stay indoors and about 1,500 military personnel are being deployed across the city.
The President and the Prime Minister have strongly condemned deadly terrorist attacks in Paris.
President Mamnoon Hussain expressing solidarity with the French people said terrorists are enemies of humanity. He said terrorism is an international phenomenon and a joint strategy should be thrashed out for its complete eradication.
In his condolence message, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said Pakistan stands firm behind the people and Government of France in this hour. In a statement issued, the PM said that terrorists belong to no religion and nationality. Militants are enemies of humanity. He said that Pakistan has been fighting terrorism for a long time and is succeeding significantly now. He vowed to continue war on terror and support all militant-hit countries in the cause for a better world.
The foreign office in a statement said the people and Government of Pakistan wish to convey their heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences to the bereaved families and the people and Government of France. We stand with them in their hour of grief. We pray for speedy recovery of the injured. The statement reiterated Pakistan’s condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has strongly condemned the deadly terrorist attacks in the French Capital Paris and expressed deep sorrow over the incident in which a large number of people have lost their lives.
In a statement, Speaker National Assembly expressed his condemnation of the terrorists act and said that such heinous attacks on humanity are carried out in violation of all morals and religions. He extended his heartfelt condolences to the French government and the families of the victims. “In this hour of grief, the people and the Parliament of Pakistan stand shoulder to shoulder with the resilient French people and resolve our joint commitment to fight these barbaric terrorists till their last defeat”, he added.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Saturday strongly condemned the terrorist attacks in Paris, which resulted in deaths of over 160 people and injuries to more than 200.
In a press Statement, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that terrorism is an international monster and needs global efforts to eliminate this evil from the world. He said that Pakistan is also the worst victim of terrorism and is fighting war against terrorist of different colors. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed sympathies and solidarity with the victims and the peoples of France and assured them that Pakistani nation stand with them in this hour of pain. PPP Chairman urged international community to unite against extremism and terrorism before it penetrates in every nook and corner of the world.
Pakistan Ex-Servicemen Society (PESS) in a press release issued by its spoke person Lt Col (Retd) Javed Iqbal has taken a serious note of the reaction expressed by a few politicians over the press release of ISPR after the corps commanders conference and has reiterated that instead of gearing up their actions concerning counter terrorism, civil government was finding lame excuses to cover up their inability to deliver in time which may jeopardize the efforts and sacrifices offered by armed forces to bring peace. The press release further stated that it appeared as if politicians lacked concern for lives being sacrificed in battle against terrorism. It also seems the politicians making statements against army are not interested in rehabilitation of displaced persons. He said if rulers did not take follow up action in areas cleared of terrorists by army, the whole effort and sacrifices would go waste and the things would reach a point when it would be difficult for the government to control. Referring to terrorist attack in Paris, The PR condemned it in strong words. Reported killing of 168 persons in the tragic incident was irreparable loss and we in Pakistan stayed focused and determined to defeat terrorism in all its forms including terrorism of finance and corruption. It said to achieve this mission NAP was required to be implemented in letter and spirit. We pray for the families of blast victims and stand with them in these painful moments, it further said.