Clinton condems Pakistan suicide attack

WASHINGTON: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton denounced the suicide car bombing on Friday of a volleyball game in Pakistan that left at least 88 people dead.

"The United States strongly condemns today's terrorist attack on civilians in Pakistan, and we offer our condolences to the families of the victims and all the people of Pakistan," Clinton said in a statement.

Her comments come after a man detonated a vehicle packed with explosives as fans gathered to watch two teams face off at a volleyball tournament in the village of Shah Hasan Khan, near the Taliban stronghold of South Waziristan.

"The Pakistani people have seen terrorists target schools, markets, mosques, and now a volleyball game," she said.

Clinton vowed to support the Pakistani people, as Washington urges Islamabad to do more to rout Al-Qaeda sanctuaries and dismantle havens of militants who cross the border and attack US and NATO troops stationed in Afghanistan.

"The United States will continue to stand with the people of Pakistan in their efforts to chart their own future free from fear and intimidation, and will support their efforts to combat violent extremism and bolster democracy," she said.