Indian envoy to Pak meets Benazir

New Delhi, Oct 19: India today strongly condemned the terrorist attack on former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in Karachi and called for determined action by all governments against terrorism in the region.

Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad, Satyabrata Pal, met Ms Bhutto and conveyed to her India's horror at the attacks and the desire to work with her to defeat terrorism in all its forms.

''We are horrified by the loss of innocent life caused by the terrorst attack on your convoy and the injuries to some of your senior colleagues. We are relieved that you yourself are unhurt.

Terrorism is a common challenge to all of us in South Asia. We look forward to working with you to defeat terrorism in all its forms,'' the High Commissioner told Ms Bhutto.

A spokesman of the External Affairs Ministry, while strongly condemning the terrorist acts, said it was ''reprehensible'' that senior political figures were targetted with loss of innocent lives.

''We strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Karachi yesterday.

It is reprehensible that senior political figures are targeted in this way with such loss of innocent life. The spectre of terrorism confronting our region requires strong and determined action by all our Governments,'' the spokesman said in response to a question.

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader who returned home yesterday after eight years in exile, survived an assasination attempt in Karachi when two massive explosions rocked her motorcade killing at least 139 people and injuring more than 500.

Ms Bhutto was leading a caravan to the mausoleum of Pakistan's founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah where she was to address a rally.

UNI