Pakistani not backing Jundallah -- Qureshi

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Pakistan does not support any militant organization that might attempt to undermine bilateral ties with Iran, the Pakistani foreign minister said.

Pakistani ties with Iran soured in the wake of an Oct. 19 bombing at a conference between Shiite and Sunni groups in southeastern Iran. The attack killed several senior commanders of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The Pakistani-based Jundallah claimed responsibility for the attack in the city of Sarbaz, in Sistan-Baluchistan province.

Iran blames Pakistan for harboring the group and the United States and Britain for backing the militant organization.

"Pakistan does not support any organization or terrorist group that might try to undermine its ties with Iran," said Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi.

Islamabad in the wake of the attacks turned several Jundallah insurgents over to Iranian authorities, including Abdul Hamid Rigi, the brother of Jundallah leader Abdul Malek Rigi.

Abdul Hamid told Iran's state-funded broadcaster Press TV that an intermediary, Amanollah Khan, was asked by U.S. officials to introduce them to the insurgent leader.

Washington and Islamabad joined the international community in condemning the Oct. 19 attacks.