World Condemns the Terrorist Attacks in India

(Novembeer 27, 2008) The Mumbai terrorist attacks are appalling and tragic'' said Father Federico Lombardi, spokesperson of the Holy See and Director of Vatican Radio. He said the attacks that took place on Wednesday in Mumbai concerns the whole International community. India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday condemned the terror attacks in Mumbai and assured Maharashtra of all help to cope with the situation, even as the Centre dispatched National Security Guard commandos to supplement the efforts being made by the local police and the CRPF. The Prime Minister’s Office said Dr. Singh was in touch with Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and was monitoring the situation. Mr. Deshmukh also said he was in touch with the Centre. He said he had talked to Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who assured him that the Centre would provide all the assistance required by Maharashtra. Meanwhile the Indian security forces have been exchanging fire with gunmen holding dozens of hostages in two luxury hotels in the Indian city of Mumbai (Bombay). Troops surrounded the premises shortly after armed men carried out a series of co-ordinated attacks across the city, killing 101 people and injuring 287. The hotels were among at least seven sites in the main tourist and business district targeted late on Wednesday. Police say four suspected terrorists have been killed and nine arrested. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the coordinated series of shootings and blasts by terrorists in Mumbai, which have killed or wounded scores of people in India’s commercial capital and largest city. “Such violence is totally unacceptable,” Mr. Ban said in a statement issued by his spokesperson. The White House held a meeting of top intelligence and counter-terrorism officials, and pledges to help the Indian government. The President-elect Barack Obama condemned the attacks, as did France, current president of the European Union. Pakistan, on Thursday condemned the attacks in Mumbai and urged common efforts against militants.