Links
Taliban attempt to storm US consulate in Pakistan
Taliban militants armed with guns and suicide vests targeted the US consulate in Pakistan's northwestern capital and unleashed carnage at a political rally on Monday, killing 43 people.
The apparently coordinated attacks were the deadliest so far this year in Pakistan, where the government is closely allied to the US-led war in neighboring Afghanistan.
The ability of heavily-armed militants to get so close to the US mission and other military installations, such as the provincial headquarters of Pakistan's premier spy agency, will raise further questions about endemic insecurity.
Three powerful explosions and bouts of gunfire echoed through the area, where the attacks occurred at a checkpoint about 20 yards from the US consulate where heavy thick smoke spewed into the sky.
Pakistan's main Taliban faction claimed responsibility for the attack and threatened to carry out further assaults on Americans.
Azam Tariq, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan spokesman, said: "We accept the attacks on the American consulate. This is revenge for drone attacks. We have already told you that we have 2,800 to 3,000 fedayeen [suicide bombers]. We will carry out more such attacks. We will target any place where there are Americans."