Aamir Khan reacts to terror attacks

It has been quite sometime since Aamir Khan last wrote in his blog. However, he has reached out for his mouse again following the terror attacks in Mumbai. He wrote in his blog aamirkhan.com that his heart is broken by the attacks and the lost of innocent lives.

"My heartfelt condolences to the families of persons killed and taken hostage. I was feeling sick in the stomach when the fire broke out at the Taj. What would the people caught inside be going through. The fire fighters were doing their best but my imagination was running wild and I was feeling helpless watching other people trapped in the rooms adjoining the fire," he wrote.

The actor also wrote terrorists have no religion. "My heartfelt condolences to the family of the brave officers of the Mumbai Police who lost their lives leading from the front to take on these terrorists. Especially Hemant Karkare of the ATS who in the recent past was being targeted by various political parties for the work that he was doing. When will these politicians realize and admit that terrorists HAVE NO RELIGION. Terrorists are not Hindu or Muslim or Christian," he added.

He prayed that the security forces end the crisis soon. However, he has come down heavily on politicians who are trying to make use of the crisis for their career, stating that they should learn to be responsible at least this time around. He also expressed the need for young and dynamic leaders who can take care of the country.

Pope Denounces Attacks in Mumbai

Pope Benedict appealed for an end to all acts of terrorism today in a telegram of condolences for the victims of the attacks in Mumbai, India.
The telegram states that Pope Benedict is “deeply concerned at the outbreak of violence” and expresses his “spiritual closeness to the public authorities, citizens, and all those affected”.

It goes on to denounce all acts of terrorism, as an offence to “the human family” that “severely destabilizes the peace and solidarity needed to build a civilization worthy of mankind’s noble vocation to love God and neighbour”.
The archbishop of Mumbai, Cardinal Oswald Gracias, today urged the International Community to remain close to his city and nation..

World leaders condemn Mumbai attacks

Washington/London (PTI): President-elect Barack Obama and UN chief Ban ki-moon led the global community condemnation of the terror attacks in Mumbai and called on the nations of the world to work together to "root out and destroy terrorist networks".

At least 100 people, including Anti-Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare, were killed when terrorists struck with impunity in Mumbai in coordinated multiple blasts and gunfire in a dozen areas across the city.

"These coordinated attacks on innocent civilians demonstrate the grave and urgent threat of terrorism," Obama's Chief National security Spokesperson Brooke Anderson said in a statement.

"The United States must continue to strengthen our partnerships with India and nations around the world to root out and destroy terrorist networks," he said.

"We stand with the people of India, whose democracy will prove far more resilient than the hateful ideology that led to these attacks," Anderson added.

In a statement, the US State Department condemned the terrorist attacks in Mumbai. "We are monitoring the situation very closely and stand ready to support the Indian authorities as they deal with this horrific series of attacks. At this point, we are unaware of any American casualties," it added.

The UN chief also strongly condemned the attacks, saying "such violence is totally unacceptable."

He said that no cause or grievance can justify indiscriminate attacks against civilians and called for the perpetrators of the attacks to be brought to justice.

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said the "outrageous" attacks will be met with a "vigorous response".

"I have sent a message to Prime Minister (Manmohan) Singh that the UK stands solidly with his government as they respond," Brown said, adding the UK is ready to offer all necessary help to India.

British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said the attacks were a reminder of the threat from violent extremists. "Today's attacks in Mumbai which have claimed many innocent victims remind us, yet again, of the threat we face from violent extremists," he said.

"Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those killed and injured. The UK and India will continue their joint efforts to counter the actions of terrorists," he said.

The European Union strongly condemned the attacks and expressed its "horror and indignation" at the series of shootings and blasts.

Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon condemned the attacks, saying "these cowardly attacks are truly appalling."

"Canada strongly condemns the savage terrorist attacks in Mumbai, which have left hundreds of innocent civilians injured or killed," Cannon said.

Britain's Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said: "When violent terrorism raises its ugly head, it is crucial that the international community stands together.

Conservative leader David Cameron said his thoughts were with all those who had been caught up in the attacks.

"India and Britain stand together at this time in the face of terrorism," he said.

The British Foreign Office has also issued an emergency number for people with relatives in Mumbai: 0207 008 0000.

Mayor of London's statement following Mumbai terrorist attacks

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson today expressed his sympathy and condolences to the people of Mumbai and those affected by the terrorist attacks on the city. He has also written to Vilasrao Desmukh, the Chief Minister of the Maharashtra State Government.

The Mayor said today:

'Our thoughts are with the people of Mumbai and everyone affected by the dreadful and indiscriminate attacks on the city. I am shocked and saddened such violence and terror, which cannot be tolerated anywhere, at any time.

'London has a large Indian population and historic ties to that wonderful country and I wish to offer our city's sympathy and support at this difficult moment.

'I know that the city of Mumbai will not be deflected from its course by indiscriminate terror and would like to reiterate the offer by the Metropolitan Police of their unrivalled expertise following the attacks.'

The Mayor has been reassured that GLA staff working in the Mumbai office are safe and well and plans to call the London representative today. The Mayor is also writing to the High Commissioner of India to the UK and the British High Commissioner in India to offer his full support and services.

Terror acts will make India stronger: Ratan Tata

Ratan N. Tata, chairman of Indian Hotels Co that owns Wednesday night’s terrorist-targeted Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Hotel in Mumbai, has said acts of terror would make India stronger.”We must show that we cannot be disabled or destroyed, but that such heinous act will only make us stronger. It is important that we do not allow divisive forces to weaken us. We need to overcome these forces as one strong unified nation,” he said in a statement Thursday.

Tata expressed his sympathy for the families of the victims and said attacks on innocent people and the destruction of prominent landmarks in India deserved to be universally condemned.

He said while the lives that have been lost cannot be replaced, it is the time to stand together, shoulder to shoulder, as citizens of India and rebuild what has been destroyed.

Church Condemns Terror In Mumbai

Church people have condemned the "heinous" terrorist attacks in Mumbai that have killed at least 100 people and wounded about 500 others, according to reports on Nov. 27 afternoon.




Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil of Ernakulam-Angamaly, president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, said this was "the most heinous crime -- to indiscriminately kill ordinary people in the streets, railway stations and hotels for whatever cause," reported UCA News.

Similarly, Reverend Enos Pradhan, general secretary of the Church of North India, a unified Protestant Church, said: "The Indian Church is shocked and disturbed by the events of the bomb blasts, killing innocent people and taking tourists as hostages."

Teams of terrorists armed with assault rifles and grenades attacked 11 locations in the city, India's commercial capital. Most of the sites targeted were in the main tourist and business district, including the city's main commuter train station, a hospital and two luxury hotels, where gunmen held dozens of hostages. The attacks began around 9:30 p.m. local time on Nov. 26.

On Nov. 27 afternoon, officials said at least eight militants and 11 policemen had been killed.
The attackers reportedly entered the city by boat, stormed the two luxury hotels on the seafront and took tourists as hostages, singling out foreigners, particularly British and American nationals.

Reverend Pradhan said the terrorists tried to "bring an international dimension to their activity by keeping foreign nationals as hostages." In his view, getting to the root of the problem will require changing the mindset of people involved in such crimes.

Cardinal Vithayathil said the atrocities in Mumbai have deeply wounded and pained him. He urged the government to defend people's life and property.

"Terrorism is a crime against humanity. Nations and communities must do everything to wipe out terrorist networks and their links from society," he said, while expressing condolences over the many deaths, especially "our security people who sacrificed their lives to protect us."

Several Indian news agencies have reported receiving e-mails claiming responsibility for the Mumbai attacks from a group calling itself Deccan Mujahideen.

Rajapaksa condemns Mumbai attack

Colombo, Nov 27

Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa Thursday ‘vehemently condemned’ the terror attack that left over 100 people dead in Mumbai.

He also called for ‘concerted action’ by all countries to eliminate terrorism.

‘My government and I hasten to condemn most vehemently the brutal acts of terrorism that killed more than 100 persons and injured many more in Mumbai last night,’ Rajapaksa said in a statement.

Rajapaksa said the indiscriminate attacks ’show that the terrorists are targeting an important sector of the Indian economy with a view to destabilizing democracy in India.

‘These unfortunate attacks bring into focus the urgent need for concerted action by all countries to eradicate the menace of terrorism, wherever it is, and whoever the leaders and manipulators of such violence may be,’ he said.

‘Sri Lanka stands with the government and people of India at this time of tragedy,’ Rajapaksa said.

Some Sri Lankan television channels showed live the CNN coverage of the Mumbai terrorist attack while the local websites updated every development related to the attack.