Date:05/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/05/stories/2007090562821400.htm

National

Pakistan blasts unfortunate: India

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: India described Tuesday’s twin blasts in Pakistan’s Rawalpindi city that killed at least 24 persons as “unfortunate.”

“It is very unfortunate. We have sympathy for the victims,” External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee told newspersons on the sidelines of a conference of Editors from India, Brazil and South Africa here.

Mr. Mukherjee declined to comment on reports of the arrest in Bangladesh of an accused in connection with the August 25 Hyderabad blasts. He said Dhaka was regularly informed of terrorists operating from its territory through institutional mechanisms, including the recent meeting of Home Secretaries. Its assistance was sought for their extradition.

“During the Home Secretary-level meeting, we suggested to them and we have given some particulars as we normally give to them about those who are indulging in all sorts of activities like insurgency and other terrorist activity,” said the Minister.

“We seek their cooperation.”