ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday condemned a suicide attack that targeted Indian Consulate in the Afghan city of Jalalabad and said terrorism was a common enemy confronting the countries of the region.

“Pakistan strongly condemns the suicide attack in Jalalabad today which resulted in the loss of many innocent lives. We extend our heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the bereaved families,” Foreign Office Spokesman Aizaz Chaudhry said.

Foreign Office tried to downplay the reports that the suicide attack targeted the Indian Consulate and said the Pakistani Consulate General was also located in the same vicinity.

None of the Pakistani staff at the mission, it said, was hurt.

Though no group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, security analysts said it could be the work of any of the militant groups fighting in Afghanistan — the Taliban, the Haqqani Network or one of their affiliates.

The Haqqani Network was said to be behind the July 2008 attack on the Indian Embassy in Kabul.

However, Indian media have claimed that the three suicide attackers targeting the Indian Consulate were of Pakistani origin.

The FO statement on the attack said terrorism was the common enemy that countries in the region faced. Collective endeavours would help effectively combat this scourge.

Pakistan and India are on the verge of starting their third round of talks under their dialogue process. However, the attack could slow down things given the nature of the ties.