Washington - The United States late Wednesday condemned the deadly terrorist attacks in India and offered US assistance to the Indian government.

"We strongly condemn the terrorist attacks that have taken place in Mumbai, India," State Department deputy spokesman Robert Wood said. "Our sympathies go out to the families and friends of those killed and injured and to the people of Mumbai."

At least 80 died and 200 were wounded after suspected terrorists, armed with military assault rifles and explosives, attacked a train station, posh hotels and other sites in Mumbai's financial district.

"We are monitoring the situation very closely and stand ready to support the Indian authorities as they deal with this horrific series of attacks," Wood said.

There were no immediate reports of US victims, he said.

President-elect Barack Obama, awaiting his inauguration on January 20, condemned the attacks and pledged to work with India to defeat terrorism.

"The United States must continue to strengthen our partnerships with India and nations around the world to root out and destroy terrorist networks," Brooke Anderson, an Obama spokesman, said in a statement. dpa