Pak Taliban deny role in Boston bombings

The Pakistani Taliban, which claimed responsibility for a botched car bombing in New York's Times Square in 2010, on Tuesday denied any role in the bombings at the Boston Marathon in the US that killed three people and injured over 140.

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan spokesman Ihsanullah Ihsan denied involvement in telephone calls to reporters in northwest Pakistan.

Speaking from an undisclosed location, he said the Taliban believed in attacking the US and its allies but were not involved in the bombings. Ihsan added the Taliban would continue targeting the United States "wherever possible".

In the past, the banned group has threatened attacks in the US and claimed responsibility for a botched car bombing in New York's Times Square in 2010. The Times Square attacker, Faisal Shahzad, admitted he was trained by the Pakistani Taliban in the lawless tribal belt.

Shahzad was shown in a jihadi video embracing Hakimullah Mehsud, the chief of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan who has survived US drone strikes.

In a separate development, the Pakistan government condemned the blasts in Boston. A statement issued by the foreign office said the government and people of Pakistan "are deeply shocked and saddened at the cowardly terrorist attacks".

"This despicable act has resulted in loss of precious human lives, including children. Our condolences and prayers are with the victims and their families during this difficult time," the statement said.

The government "condemns this heinous act of terrorism in the strongest possible terms and hopes that the perpetrators of this barbaric act will be brought to justice", it added.