India relieved Bhutto unhurt in terror attack

NEW DELHI: Horrified at the "reprehensible" attack on the convoy of former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, India conveyed to her on Friday that it was relieved that she was unhurt.
    
Strongly condemning the attack, India said all governments should make determined efforts to deal with terrorism.
    
"We are horrified by the loss of innocent life caused by the terrorist attack on your convoy and the injuries to some of your senior colleagues," India's High Commissioner to Pakistan Satyabrata Pal said in a message to Bhutto.
    
"We are relieved that you yourself are unhurt," he said.
    
Pal told Bhutto that terrorism is a common challenge faced by all countries in South Asia.
    
"We look forward to working with you to defeat terrorism in all its forms," he said.
    
"We strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Karachi yesterday. It is reprehensible that senior political figures are targetted in this way with such loss of innocent lives," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Navtej Sarna said.
    
He said the "spectre of terrorism confronting our region requires strong and determined action by all our governments."
    
A suicide bomber struck Bhutto's convoy on Thursday night, killing over 139 people and leaving nearly 500 injured, in a failed assassination bid on the former Pakistan premier hours after her return here from an eight-year self-exile.