ISLAMABAD, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan on Sunday strongly condemned a brutal terrorist attack on the Intercontinental Hotel in Afghanistan's capital Kabul.
The Afghan Interior Ministry said the deadly siege on the hotel was over on Sunday after almost 12-hour fighting between security forces and the attackers since Saturday night, leaving nine people dead including four attackers.
Meanwhile, 160 guests, including 41 foreigners, were rescued from the hotel.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry expressed deep grief and sorrow at the loss of precious human lives and the injuring of many others in this terrorist act.
"The government and the people of Pakistan convey solidarity and support with the government and people of Afghanistan at this dastardly terrorist attack," a Foreign Ministry statement said.
"We convey our deepest sympathies for those who have lost their loved ones and our sincere prayers and wishes are for early recovery of those who have sustained injuries in this heinous terror attack."
The statement reiterated Pakistan's strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
"In our view, cooperation among the states is important for effectively combating and eliminating the scourge of terrorism," it said.
The Afghan Interior Ministry blamed the notorious Haqqani network, the military wing of Taliban group operating in Kabul and eastern region of Afghanistan, for the attack.
Saturday's attack is not the first against the hotel. In 2011, Taliban militants attacked the hotel, inflicting heavy casualties and damage.
