US denounces attack near Indian consulate in Afghanistan

The United States on Saturday denounced a deadly attack in Afghanistan and vowed to work with India and other partners to secure Afghanistan as NATO-led coalition troops are set to exit by the end of 2014. "The United States condemns in strongest terms the attack near the Indian consulate in Jalalabad, which took the lives of innocent civilians including women and children," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement. "Despite today's attack, we remain committed to working with our Afghan, Indian and other international partners to build a secure and prosperous Afghanistan free from senseless violence," she added. Twelve people, including three attackers, were killed and 24 others wounded in shooting and ensuing suicide car bombing near the Indian mission in Jalalabad, capital of eastern Afghan province of Nangarhar. Most of the casualties were children as the blast took place near a mosque where dozens of children were attending religious classes. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, in which no Indian staff was hurt. Most of the American and NATO combat troops are expected to leave Afghanistan after invading the country in October 2001 to avenge the massive terrorist attack on the United States on Sept. 11.