Russia condemns terrorist attack in Pakistan

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday condemned Sunday's suicide bombing in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore, which killed at least 72 people and injured more than 300 others.

"This act of evil is one more example of barbaric and inhuman nature of terrorism, which spares nobody in pursuit of its criminal goals," Putin said in a statement.

Putin also said Russia would support the Pakistani authorities' efforts to combat terrorism and sought more international anti-terror cooperation, at both regional and global levels.

In a separate statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the "barbaric" terrorist attack that "has no justification."

"We are convinced that what has happened will strengthen Islamabad's determination to continue an uncompromising struggle against terrorism and religious extremism," the statement said.

Russia would continue to provide necessary assistance to the anti-terrorism efforts of the Pakistani government, the ministry added.

The blast, claimed by a Pakistani Taliban splinter group "Jamaat-ul-Ahrar," was carried out by a suicide bomber in a crowded public park in Lahore on Sunday evening. Endi