World leaders condemn terror attacks in india

Washington, July 12 (UNI) United States President George W Bush was among the world leaders who condemned the serial blasts in Mumbai in which nearly 170 people were killed.

Bush said he was outraged to learn about the yesterday's deadly attacks on commuter trains in India and assured New Delhi that the United States stood with it in the war on terror.

''The United States stands with the people and the government of India and condemns in the strongest terms these atrocities, which were committed against innocent people as they went about their daily lives,'' Bush said in a written statement issued last night while he was travelling in Wisconsin.

"Such acts only strengthen the resolve of the international community to stand united against terrorism and to declare unequivocally that there is no justification for the vicious murder of innocent people," he said.

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan said he was ''appalled by thre brutal and callous bombings''. He sais such acts confirm that terrorism is one of the most serious threats to international peace and security.

In New York City, authorities tightened security around the underground train system.It was announced that there would be an increase in patrols and bag searches in the city's vast subway system.

The city's police department said the move was precautionary and there have been no specific threats.

In Washington, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said she had no information on who was responsible. Other officials said radical Islamic groups may be to blame.

"Let me just say that we condemn thoroughly this terrible terrorist incident," Rice said during a photo session with the Serbian prime minister.

''This kind of hideous incident can happen anywhere in the world against innocent people,'' she added.

Later in a written statement released by the State Department, Rice said, "The United States condemns today's horrific terrorist attacks in Kashmir and Mumbai. Many people have lost their lives and many others have been injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. There is no political cause that can justify the murder of innocent people. The United States stands with India in the war against terror. Those responsible for these terrible acts should be swiftly brought to justice." State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said the United States would provide help should Indian authorities request it.

Two US officials, who did not want to be named, said the attacks matched the methods previously used by Islamic extremist groups that have been active in India during the past several years namely Lashkar-e-Tayyaba, or Army of the Righteous, and Jaish-e-Mohammad, or Army of Mohammed.

Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy said Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Nicholas Burns telephoned Indian Ambassador to the United States Ronen Sen to convey ''deep condolences and a sense of shock on behalf of the US at these horrible acts of terrorism." He said the United States stood resolutely with India with its firm and unqualified support in fighting this menace of terrorism.

The Israeli Ambassador was the first foreign Envoy in Washington DC to telephone Ambassador Ronen Sen and conveyed his full sympathy, solidarity and support.

The Council on American- Islamic Relations (CAIR), which is the largest Islamic advocacy group in United States, has condemned these attacks and sent their sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to the victims of this"heinous crime". They have requested a meeting with Ambassador Ronen Sen for a delegation of American Muslim leaders to personally offer their condolences.

There have also been numerous calls to the Indian Ambassador to the US from business organizations and individuals, the Indian Embassy said.

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