Pakistan on Monday condemned the terror attack in India in which three fidayeen, believed to have come from Pakistan, attacked passengers in a moving bus and stormed a police station in Punjab, killing seven persons.
"We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist incident in Gurdaspur, India, on Monday, in which a number of precious lives have been lost. There are reports of others having suffered injuries. Our thoughts are with the bereaved families," a Pakistan Foreign Office statement said.
In the pre-dawn attack, the terrorists, suspected to be members of either Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba or Jaish-e-Mohammad, in army fatigues first targeted a
roadside eatery, then sprayed bullets on a passenger bus and later barged into the Dinanagar police station. Seven persons, including a Superintendent of Police, were killed by the terrorists. At least 15 people were injured of whom three were in a serious condition.
The Foreign Office statement said, "Pakistan reiterates its condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. We extend heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the Government and people of India and wish the wounded speedy and full recovery."
Though there was no official word on who the attackers were, they are suspected to have sneaked into India from Pakistan through the unfenced border between Jammu and Pathankot or Chak Hira in Jammu district, according to inputs received by India's central agencies.
Image: People look at a ricocheted bullet that hurled through a car windshield. Photograph: Reuters