UNITED NATIONS: United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on Saturday strongly condemned the terrorist attacks on Ashura processions and Imambargahs inside Pakistan, said a report published on Radio Pakistan.

The UN chief in a statement issued by his spokesperson condemned the recent attacks in Sindh and Balochistan provinces — including the one in Jacobabad — and also offered condolences to the families of victims.

Ban Ki-Moon also urged the government to bring the perpetrators of the deadly attacks to justice, while hoping that it will also take all steps to protect its citizens belonging to both the majority and minority groups.

The UN Secretary General also prayed for the swift recovery of those injured in the blast, and underscored that nothing justifies terrorism.

Yesterday, a powerful suicide blast ripped through a Muharram procession in Jacobabad city of Sindh, killing 22 people, mostly children, and injuring more than 40 others.

A mourning procession was returning from Shershah-Jo-Per to Quetta Road in Lashari Muhalla when the suicide attack took place. The dead victims included some children too.

In another incident of terrorism on Thursday, a suicide attacker blew himself outside an Imambargah in Bolan district of Balochistan, killing at least 10 people and injuring 12 others.

Pakistan has a history of attacks on religious processions in Islamic holy month of Muharram, especially on 9th and 10th of the month, claimed by banned militant outfits targeting people belonging to Shia sect of Islam.

This year, the federal and provincial governments adopted stringent security measures to avoid any untoward incident.

Related: Security tightened for Muharram processions across Pakistan