PARIS, Brussels, Orlando, Istanbul, Nice and now Munich! Once again, everyone is shocked and appalled by the brutal attack in the Olympia shopping centre in Munich. According to media reports, more than nine citizens were killed and many others were wounded in this attack.

Germany which welcomed a large number of migrants and refugees was so far safe from extremist attacks, unlike other European countries in recent days, has now started to suffer and bleed as well.

This was the deadliest attack witnessed by Germany in the last 30 years after the rampage shooting at the 1972 Summer Olympic Games. This mall is also situated next to the Munich Olympic stadium where 11 Israeli athletes were taken hostage and finally killed.

It was the third major act of violence against civilians in Western Europe in eight days. Previous attacks in France and Germany were claimed by the Islamic State militant group but no one has claimed responsibility for this attack so far.

Still everyone is speculating about the mindset behind this abhorrent attack but undoubtedly German intelligence institutions and forces are fully trained and capable of tracing out the elements that plotted this attack. We stand with Germany and its citizens in their loss and grief and we are deeply saddened by yet another vicious attack on innocents. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who have lost their loved ones in this attack.

Terrorism has no religion and no religion supports and justifies such a massacre. It would also be wrong to blame and condemn all Muslim migrants, and refugees for this despicable and inhuman act.

Imran Ali Phull

Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2016