“An act of terrorism, a big tragedy”; FM reacts to brutal killing of Pakistan origin family in Canada

In a statement, the foreign minister termed it “an act of terrorism and a big tragedy”.

FM asked the Canadian Prime Minister to play his due role in providing protection to Muslims in the country.

Four members of a Muslim family were killed in a hit and run in Canada. Police suspect the attacker targeted them because of their religion.

The attack took place in the city of London, Ontario province where a man struck and killed four pedestrians with his truck in a suspected premeditated hate crime.

The victims including a man (46), two women-aged 74 and 44 along a teenage girl (15) did not sustained injuries and died on the spot.

A 9-year old boy was in hospital with serious but non-life threatening injuries, the family’s only survivor.

Police named the alleged attacker as Nathanial Veltman, 20, of London, Ontario. He was arrested without incident at a shopping centre about 6km (4.8 miles) from the crime scene.

The accused, a 20-year old Canadian man has been charged with four counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

Det Supt Paul Waight stated, "It is believed that these victims were targeted because they were Muslim".

Ontario Prime Minister, Doug Ford turned to twitter and paid tribute to the departed souls.

"Hate and Islamophobia have NO place in Ontario," he wrote.

He further added, "Justice must be served for the horrific act of hatred that took place in London, Ontario yesterday".

"My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends during this difficult time. These heinous acts of violence must stop," he added.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tweeted that he was 'horrified' by the news.

The attack was the worst against Canadian Muslims since six people were killed in a Quebec City mosque in 2017.

In 2018, Canada's deadliest vehicle-ramming attack happened when a self-described "incel" (involuntary celibate) ploughed his van into a group of pedestrians in Toronto, killing 10 people.