US condemns bomb attack on religious centre in Peshawar

The US today condemned the bomb blast at a proselytising centre in northwest Pakistan that killed at least 10 people and said suggestions that it had a hand in the attack were "preposterous".
The US said it was ready to help Pakistani authorities in investigating yesterday's attack on the Tableeghi Markaz in Peshawar to bring those responsible to justice.
US Ambassador Richard Olson extended his sympathies to those injured and to families of those killed in the attack at the religious centre, said a statement from the US Embassy.
The US remains concerned about continuing extremist violence in Pakistan, it said. Such extremist violence is an assault on the values of the people of Pakistan and a threat to a prosperous future for all citizens, it added.

"The suggestion that the US had a hand in perpetrating this outrageous act, and played any role at all in inciting this or any kind of violence, is preposterous," the statement said.
"The US continues to support the government of Pakistan's efforts to counter extremist violence. The US remains firmly committed to promoting peace and stability in Pakistan and the broader region."
A Taliban faction yesterday denied any involvement in the blast and blamed it on "enemies of Pakistan", a term often used by it to refer to the US.