Saudi Arabia, UAE join world to condemn Pulwama attack, MbS Pakistan visit postponed

New Delhi, 16 Feb 2019 [Fik/News Sources]: Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Friday joined the world leaders to condemn the worst ever terrorist attack in decades in Pulwama district of Kashmir that killed more than 40 CRPF troops. In a strongly worded condemnation issued Friday, Saudi Arabia also extended all support to India in its fight against terrorism.

"The Kingdom strongly condemns and denounces "these cowardly terrorist acts and stands with India against terrorism and extremism", the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was cited as saying by the Saudi Press Agency.

"Saudi Arabia offers condolences to the Indian government, families of the victims and wishes the injured a speedy recovery," the Ministry said.

Reiterating the country's principled and unequivocal position rejecting all forms of violence and terrorism, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement said that the UAE "condemns this terrorist act,"

''The UAE stands in solidarity with the government and people of India in their fight against violence and extremism,'' the Ministry said in a statement issued Friday.

The ministry also called on the international community to unify efforts in confronting extremism and terrorism that pose a threat to global security and stability.

More than 40 CRPF personnel were killed in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district on Thursday when a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorist rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the bus they were travelling in, officials said. A number of others have been left injured in the first major attack on the security forces in the last decade.

The vehicle was blown up on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Awantipora area of the district, a police official said. Police identified the terrorist as Adil Ahmad from Kakapora in Pulwama. He joined the Jaish-Mohammed in 2018, they said.

Russian President Putin and White House also issued statement to condemn the attack.

"The United States calls on Pakistan to end immediately the support and safe haven provided to all terrorist groups operating on its soil, whose only goal is to sow chaos, violence, and terror in the region", the White House said in a statement.

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also called the attack a matter of "grave concern". But in a brief statement, it added, "We strongly reject any insinuation by elements in the Indian government and media circles that seek to link the attack to the State of Pakistan without investigations."

Meanwhile, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's Pakistan visit has been postponed by a day. The high profile Saudi Corwn Prince, also known as MbS, was due to arrive in Pakistan today on Saturday. But, he will now reach Pakistan on Sunday, according to a statement released by Pakistan's Foreign Ministry.

Though the ministry has not elaborated further, the Pulwama terror attack is seen as the reason behind the sudden change in the schedule of Mohammad bin Salman's Pakistan visit.

After wrapping up his two-day visit in Pakistan, Mohammad bin Salman is also scheduled to visit India, Malaysia, Indonesia and China later in the coming week.