In a series of bombings on July 11, terrorists brutally attacked crowded commuter trains in Mumbai, India's financial capital. Earlier on the same day, grenade attacks in Srinagar, Kashmir targeted tourists. In Mumbai, at least one-hundred-ninety people were killed with hundreds more wounded. In Srinagar, eight died. Shivraj Patil (SHEEV-rahj PAH-tihl), India's Home Minister, read a statement issued by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh:
"We will work to defeat the evil designs of terrorists and will not allow them to succeed. I urge the people to remain calm, not to believe rumors, and carry on their activities normally. The government will take all possible measures to maintain law and order and defeat the forces of terrorism."
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks in Mumbai, which have been almost universally condemned. Pervez Musharaff, Pakistan's president, issued a statement saying "terrorism is a bane of our times and it must be condemned, rejected, and countered effectively and comprehensively." State Department spokesman Sean McCormack says the U.S. "condemn[s] these attacks in the strongest terms":
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost loved ones or friends or relatives in these attacks and we wish a speedy recovery to all of those who were injured. We have been in touch with the Indian government concerning these attacks and, of course, we will offer any assistance that they might request."
Of the bombings in Mumbai, President George W. Bush says, "Such acts only strengthen the resolve of the international community to stand united against terrorism and to declare unequivocally that there is no justification for the vicious murder of innocent people."
The preceding was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States Government.
