WASHINGTON: The United States condemned Friday's deadly attack on a mosque in Pakistan, saying it highlights the need for Washington to support Islamabad in fighting a "common" enemy.
"These attacks highlight the vicious and inhuman nature of this enemy whose true target is the democratically elected government of Pakistan and the security of all Pakistanis," State Department spokesman Ian Kelly told reporters.
The "awful attacks" underscore the "need for us to support the government of Pakistan as they fight this... common enemy and this common challenge that we have," he added. "We will continue to support them as... they fight this terrible scourge."
Kelly expressed sympathy for the attack's victims, as well as for the friends and family of those killed. He said the State Department had no information of any Americans hurt in the attack.
Suicide bombers stormed a mosque frequented by army officers in Pakistan's garrison city of Rawalpindi, leaving 40 people dead in an onslaught of gunfire, grenades and explosions.
Four militants launched the attack, opening fire, tossing grenades and then detonating suicide vests in a crowd gathered for Friday prayers in the city adjoining the capital Islamabad, witnesses and officials said.
Rawalpindi is home to the military's headquarters and is a frequent target of Taliban insurgents, who have staged a wave of fierce attacks in recent months to avenge military offensives against them across the northwest, along the border with Afghanistan.
President Barack Obama's administration is seeking to win firmer backing from Islamabad in fighting extremism by pledging to sharply step up support for Pakistan, a nuclear-armed nation wary of US actions.
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