Two western hostages killing: Pakistan expresses shock and sorrow

"The news of the accidental killing of two western hostages Warren Weinstein and Giovanni Lo Porto in the US drone strike conducted in January this year has been received in Pakistan with shock and sorrow. The people and Government of Pakistan convey their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families," Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

"Having lost thousands of innocent civilians in the war against terrorism, Pakistan can fully understand this tragic loss and stands with the families of Weinstein and Lo Porto in this difficult time. The death of Mr. Weinstein and Mr. Lo Porto in a drone strike demonstrates the risk and unintended consequences of the use of this technology that Pakistan has been highlighting for a long time," it said.

US President Barack Obama on Thursday said two hostages were killed during a U.S. counterterrorism operation targeting an al Qaeda compound in January.

The deceased hostages include one American national  Warren Weinstein.

The US President has apologised over the issue.

Obama said: "This morning, I want to express our grief and condolences to the families of two hostages.  One American, Dr. Warren Weinstein, and an Italian, Giovanni Lo Porto, who were tragically killed in a U.S. counterterrorism operation."

"Warren and Giovanni were aid workers in Pakistan devoted to improving the lives of the Pakistani people.  After Warren was abducted by al Qaeda in 2011, I directed my national security team to do everything possible to find him and to bring him home safely to his family.  And dedicated professionals across our government worked tirelessly to do so.  We also worked closely with our Italian allies on behalf of Giovanni, who was kidnapped in 2012," he said.

"Yesterday, I spoke with Warren’s wife Elaine and Prime Minister Renzi of Italy.  As a husband and as a father, I cannot begin to imagine the anguish that the Weinstein and Lo Porto families are enduring today.  I realize that there are no words that can ever equal their loss.  I know that there is nothing that I can ever say or do to ease their heartache,"Obama said.

Taking responsibility for the incident, he said: "As President and as Commander-in-Chief, I take full responsibility for all our counterterrorism operations, including the one that inadvertently took the lives of Warren and Giovanni.  I profoundly regret what happened.  On behalf of the United States government, I offer our deepest apologies to the families. "