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Straw speaks to Sinha, condemns latest Jammu massacre

Condemning the incident, Straw, who is on a visit to China, telephonically enquired from Sinha about the perpetrators of this dastardly act.

As seen in recent terrorist attacks, in this case also nobody has as yet claimed responsibility for the massacre, the external affairs minister told Straw.

Straw, who is due to arrive in India on July 19 as part of continuing diplomatic efforts to ease Indo-Pak tensions, had earlier on Sunday in a statement issued in London, said that he is 'horrified at this attack on innocent civilians'.

"Terrorism be it in Jammu, Kashmir or anywhere else only serves to renew the determination of the free world to fight this evil. My thoughts are with the families and friends of those who suffered," he said.

The United States whose Secretary of State Collin Powell is expected to visit India and Pakistan from July 27, said, "We strongly condemn any acts of terrorism and any terrorist attacks."

"Our thoughts and our prayers are with the victims and their families," White House deputy spokesman Scott Mclellan said in Washington.

Expressing 'deep concern' over the terrorist strike, Russia on Sunday asked Pakistan to fulfil its obligation to end infiltration of militants into Jammu and Kashmir.

In a special statement, the Russian foreign ministry expressed Moscow's sympathies with the bereaved families and blamed Saturday's strike on the forces striving to scuttle the de-escalatory process in Indo-Pak relations.

The statement reminded Islamabad of its promise to end cross-border terrorism, Russian foreign ministry spokesman Alexander Yakovenko said.

French Foreign Minister Dominique Villepin, expected in India early in August, also spoke to Sinha and condemned the terrorist attack.

PTI

Terrorism Strikes in Jammu and Kashmir: The complete coverage

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