The United States on Friday condemned twin suicide attacks just seconds apart that targeted the Pakistani military in Lahore, killing 45 people and leaving 134 wounded.

"There is no justification for killing innocent people," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said in a statement.

"The coordinated multiple attacks in Lahore demonstrate the suffering that violent extremist elements are willing to inflict on the people of Pakistan -- people who only wish to go about their daily lives in peace."

She also praised Islamabad for its "stalwart fight against extremism and the commitment of Pakistan's security and law enforcement forces to protecting the Pakistani people from violence and intimidation."

The United States stood "shoulder to shoulder with the people of Pakistan in their aspirations for peace and security," she added.

The bombers walked up to army vehicles in the crowded R A Bazaar area of Lahore, blowing themselves up as people sat down to eat before the main Muslim weekly prayers were to begin, a senior Pakistani official said.

Hours later, on Friday evening, five small bombs exploded elsewhere in Lahore. They caused no casualties, police said, but broke the windows of nearby buildings, damaged at least one car and terrified residents.