Obama's State Department omits the terror attack in Pakistan targeted Christians

The U.S. State Department of issued a statement condemning "in the strongest terms" Sunday's suicide bombing in Pakistan but made no mention that the terror attack targeted Christians celebrating Easter.

"This cowardly act, which targeted innocent civilians in the Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, has killed dozens and left scores injured," the State Department said in its release after the attack in a busy park in the eastern city of Lahore on Sunday evening.

At least 70 people were killed, mostly women and children who were on an Easter weekend outing, according to Reuters. About 340 others were wounded, and 25 of them are said to be in serious condition.

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, a faction of the Pakistani Taliban, which claimed responsibility clearly said it was to challenge the government and Christians were the target.

"The target was Christians," the terror group's spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan was quoted as saying. "We want to send this message to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that we have entered Lahore."

"The United States stands with the people and government of Pakistan at this difficult hour," the State Department added. "We send our deepest condolences to the loved ones of those killed and injured, and our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Lahore as they respond to and recover from this terrible tragedy."