Putin condemns Varanasi blasts

Moscow, Mar 10 (UNI) Russian President Vladimir Putin today condemned the March 7 serial blasts in Varanasi as a clear evidence of the terrorists' goal to provoke intercommunal tension.

"It is with deep sorrow that we in Russia learned of the terrorist acts which took place in India. Burning indignation is aroused by the fact that a very important religious centre of india, the city of Varanasi, sacred for the Hindus bacame the target of the terrorists,'' Mr Putin said in a letter to President APJ Abdul Kalam and Prime Mininster Manmohan Singh.

"Together, with the Indian people, we mourn the loss of innocent people. Please convey our sincere condolences to the near and dear ones of all the deceased and the expression of sympathy and wishes of the earliest recovery to the injured in the terrorist acts," Mr Putin said in the letter.

UNI XC SHR KN1753