India condemns bombing of Benazirs convoy in Karachi

Indian Government today condemned the explosions that took place near former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto convoy late on Thursday night, killing 138 people.

New Delhi, Oct 19 : Indian Government today condemned the explosions that took place near former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto convoy late on Thursday night, killing 138 people.

"We strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Karachi yesterday. It is reprehensible that senior political figures are targeted in this way with such loss of innocent life," said Navtej Sarna, MEA spokesperson.

"The spectre of terrorism confronting our region requires strong and determined action by all our Governments," Sarna added.

At least 138 people were killed and hundreds injured late on Thursday night as suspected suicide bombers targeted Bhutto on her return.

Two explosions went off a minute apart shortly after midnight near Karsaz close to the vehicle Bhutto was travelling in, at the head of a procession of hundreds of thousands of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) supporters who had flooded the streets of Karachi to welcome her.

The attack reportedly bore the hallmarks of al Qaeda and resembled assassination attempts by militants linked to the terrorist network on President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in recent years.

A state of high alert has been declared in Karachi.

Schools and colleges will remain closed in the city. A medical emergency has been declared at the Jinnah and the Civil Hospitals here.

Traffic was thin on the roads of Karachi on Friday, as a majority of the people decided to remain indoors.

ANI