Britain condemns 'cowardly' Pakistan revenge attack

LONDON: Britain condemned a "cowardly" double suicide bombing that killed 80 at a paramilitary police training centre in Pakistan which Taliban militants said was to avenge Osama bin Laden's death.

William Hague, the foreign secretary, also pledged support for Islamabad after the blasts in Shabqadar, northwest Pakistan, which killed at least 80 people and injured 140, the deadliest attack since the death of the al-Qaeda leader.

"These attacks were cowardly and indiscriminate, killing many innocent bystanders and targeting those who serve to protect Pakistan," he said.

"They prove once again that such extremist groups have no regard for the value of human life."

Mr. Hague added: "The UK is committed to standing with Pakistan in the fight against violent extremism and we will continue to work with Pakistan to tackle this shared threat."

A Pakistani Taliban spokesman said the attack was the "first revenge for Osama's martyrdom", referring to the killing of the Al-Qaeda leader in a raid by US commandos on May 2.