ISLAMABAD, June 22 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Thursday strongly condemned a car bomb explosion close to a bank branch in Afghanistan's southern Helmand province, resulting in loss and injuries of many innocent lives.
Afghan officials say at least 29 people, including military personnel, who gathered at the Kabul Bank branch to draw their salaries ahead of the Muslim festival of "Eid-al-Fitr" were killed in the car bomb blast. Nearly 50 others were wounded.
"The people and government of Pakistan extend their heartfelt sympathies and deepest condolences to the government and the people of Afghanistan and the bereaved families," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"While reiterating condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, we pray for early recovery of the injured. We firmly stand with our Afghan brothers in this hour of grief and anguish," the statement said.
