Manmohan Singh says Mumbai terror strike an act to destabilise nation

New Delhi, Nov.27 : The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Thursday strongly condemned Wednesday's terror strikes across southern Mumbai, describing the incidents as an attempt to destablise the country.

Addressing the nation even as the firefight between security personnel and the terrorists continued in India's commercial capital, Dr.Singh said the Mumbai attacks were "well-orchestrated" by terrorists, who had chosen high-profile targets.

He said: "These attacks are an act to destablise the nation."

Dr. Singh assured the countrymen that no guilty person behind the terror attacks would escape punishment.

"The suspected people would nto be allowed to enter the country," said Dr. Singh, adding that "there is need for a Central Agency" to handle terrorism in the country.

Expressing his condolences to all dead in the terror strike, Dr. Singh praised the exceptional courage shown by Mumbai Police and the city's anti-terrorist squad.

"I appreciate the courage shown by the police, and especially the Anti-Terrorist Chief Hemant Khare."

Khare, who was also probing the Malegaon blasts, was one of the three senior police officers killed during the firefight with the terrorists. He was shot three times in the chest.

Dr. Singh is likely to visit Mumbai on Friday along with Leader of Opposition Lal Krishan Advani to assess the situation prevailing in that city in the wake of Wednesday's terror strikes that have killed 101 people and injured 287 others.

Advani was originally slated to leave for Mumbai at 10.30 a.m. today, but rescheduled it after Dr. Singh called him and requested him to join him.

The two leaders' visit is expected to take place only after the ongoing encounter against terrorists holed up in various spots concludes.

Earlier, addressing media persons in New Delhi, Advani who has repeatedly called for the restoration of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) to defeat terrorism in the country, said: "Though the government at the Centre and State have much to answer for to the nation, but it is not that occasion for me to ask all that. Instead, the country must remain calm and try to stay united at this hour."

"I wish the security persons must register success over the terrorists. And, all of us must support them. We must maintain communal harmony,"

Expressing his heartfelt sympathy for all those killed on Wednesday night, Advani paid special tribute to the senior most security officials who were killed in the attacks.

"I express my tributes to all the killed people in these terrorist attacks. I also convey my tributes to the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) chief and senior police officials of the Maharashtra Police."

"Terrorism is a global menace. Mumbai being the economic center of the country is chosen by terrorists," Advani said.

ANI