Advani cancels his Mumbai visit, to accompany PM later

New Delhi, Nov 27 (UNI) Strongly condemning last night's terror attacks in Mumbai, Leader of Opposition L K Advani today said there is a need to face such attacks as a nation and the country will have to face it unitedly.

Talking to newspersons at his residence, Mr Advani who had initially planned to rush to Mumbai in the morning on hearing the news of terror attacks, said he changed his schedule on the suggestion of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that he should accompany him for an on-the-spot assessment later in the day.

The Maharashtra Government too had asked them to delay their visit till the anti-terror operations are over and the hostages are rescued.

The BJP leader said he had agreed with Mr Singh and timing of the visit will be decided later by the Prime Minister.

Mr Advani said these serial attacks were nothing but a continuation of the 1993 Mumbai blasts.

He said the attacks should be a cause concern for both the Centre and state government. ''They have a lot to answer but I will not dwell on this point at this point of time,'' he said.

Mr Advani said the security forces should emerge victorious and everyone need to cooperate and there should be social harmony.

''I offer my condolences to the victims of this terror attacks particularly to those who had laid down their lives in defence of the country like ATS chief Hemant Karkare and Deputy Commissioner of Police Ashok Kamthe and the country is indebted to them,'' he added.

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