UPDATE - Japan ‘firmly condemns’ attack against civilians in Russia

ADDS STATEMENT BY PAKISTAN FOREIGN MINISTRY, CHANGES DECK

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - Japan on Saturday “firmly condemned” an attack on civilians in Russia which killed at least 60 people late Friday.

“Japan extends its sincere condolences to the bereaved families, and expresses its heartfelt sympathy to those who were injured,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The ISIS/Daesh terror organization said its members were behind the attack that targeted a concert hall northwest of central Moscow.

The group said its members attacked the concert hall in Krasnogorsk, a city in the Moscow region.

Meanwhile, Pakistan "strongly" condemned the "horrendous attack" and expressed its "deepest sympathies" for the families of the victims.

"At this difficult hour, we stand in solidarity with the people and government of the Russian Federation," said the Foreign Ministry.

- Daesh a group 'aimed at defaming Islam,’ says Kabul

In a separate statement, the interim Taliban administration in Afghanistan condemned in the “strongest terms” the terror attack.

Kabul “considers it a blatant violation of all human standards,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Abdul Qahar Balkhi.

“Daesh, which has targeted civilians in Afghanistan and other regions of the world as well, again clearly demonstrated through this incident that it is a group in the hands of intelligence agencies aimed at defaming Islam and posing a threat to the entire region,” said Balkhi as he urged countries in the region to “take a coordinated, clear and resolute position against such incidents directed at regional destabilization.”

Gunmen killed at least 60 people and injured 147 in an attack at a concert hall near Moscow, according to the Russian Investigative Committee.

"According to preliminary data, as a result of the terrorist attack in the Crocus City Hall complex, 60 people were killed and 147 injured," it said after multiple gunmen burst into the venue that is adjacent to the Russian capital.

The attack took place in Krasnogorsk, the administrative center of the Moscow region, where the music band Picnic was performing. The band was not injured in the attack, said law enforcement agencies.

An explosion was later reported at the venue that caused a large fire.

The Emergency Ministry said about one-third of the building was engulfed in flames, with helicopters trying to extinguish the blaze.