Holbrooke condemns Pakistan blast, calls it tragedy

WASHINGTON Feb 3 (Reuters) - U.S. envoy Richard Holbrooke condemned an attack on American military trainers in Pakistan on Wednesday that killed three soldiers and three children.

"It's a great tragedy and we are deeply regretful at the loss of life," said Holbrooke, the U.S. Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan. "It is a very sad event."

He said three U.S. military employees had been killed and two wounded in the attack. They had been en route to the opening of a school.

Pakistan's Taliban claimed responsibility for the bombing on Wednesday that killed the Americans, three children and a Pakistani soldier outside a girls school in the northwest of the country and threatened more attacks on Americans.

The blast, triggered by a remote-controlled device, was a grim reminder of the resilience of Taliban militants determined to topple the government of President Asif Ali Zardari, a deeply unpopular pro-American leader. (Reporting by Sue Pleming; editing by Doina Chiacu)