The spiritual leader of the Ismaili community His Highness Aga Khan expressed shock and sorrow over the attack on a bus carrying Ismailis near Safoora Chowk in Karachi which left 43 dead and 13 wounded.

"This attack represents a senseless act of violence against a peaceful community. My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the families of those killed and wounded in the attack," said a statement posted on the Aga Khan Development Network website.

The statement said that Ismailis are a peaceful global community that live in harmony with various other ethnic and religious groups across the world.

The statement added that other Ismaili leaders in Pakistan are currently involved in an emergency operation to help the survivors of the attack.

Gen Raheel telephones Aga Khan

Army Chief General Raheel Sharif telephoned Prince Karim Aga Khan and offered his heartfelt condolences on the killings of innocent people in the terrorist attack near Safoora Chowk in Karachi.

“Our heart goes out for the bereaved families. No efforts will be spared to apprehend and punish the perpetrators of this terrorist act and their abettors, General Raheel assured.

Nawaz offers condolences

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also telephoned Prince Karim Aga Khan to extend his condolences over the loss of precious lives in Safoora Goth massacre.

Later, Nawaz Sharif visited the residence of the Leader of Ismaili community Sultan Ali Allana in Karachi. He was accompanied by Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, PPP’s co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and MQM leader Farooq Sattar.

Know more: 43 killed in attack on bus carrying Ismailis in Karachi

At least 43 members of Ismaili minority were killed and 13 others were wounded when gunmen opened fire on their bus in Karachi on Wednesday.

Ahmed Marwat, a spokesman for Jundullah, which is a splinter group of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), claimed responsibility for the attack.

With additional reporting by Irfan Haider