WASHINGTON: The United States offered on Thursday to help Pakistan investigate the deadly Karachi bus attack which left at least 44 members of the Shia Ismaili community dead, in the first assault in the country claimed by the self-styled Islamic State group.

“We will support efforts to bring all those responsible to justice and stand ready to provide assistance to the investigation of this tragic attack,” US Secretary of State John Kerry said.

Mr Kerry condemned what he called a “heinous attack,” adding the “American people stand in solidarity with the people of Pakistan”. “Make no mistake: There is more strength by far in the respect and solidarity that we feel towards one another than there could ever be in any terrorist attack,” he added in a statement.

Mr Kerry offered his condolences to the victims and their families as well as the Aga Khan.

Published in Dawn, May 15th, 2015

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