MEA condemns Wagah suicide attack; BJP, Congress insist on strong action to combat terrorism

New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs released a statement on Monday condemning the suicide attack near Wagah border that killed 65 people and injured 200 others.

"There is no grievance or political goal so great, as to justify such a cowardly act. We believe that only the firmest and most comprehensive action against all terror groups without any distinction is the only way to defeat this evil scourge," read a statement issued by the MEA.

A suicide bomber blew himself up near the exit gates of the Wagah border car parking, minutes after the popular flag-lowering ceremony at the main Indo-Pak land border crossing ended.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar along with other members of the political fraternity in India strongly condemned the attack. Javadekar said, "I deplore this attack. Nations combating terrorism need to make united efforts to deal with this problem effectively."

Reactions poured in from across the nation. Senior Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "Terrorism has no boundaries, no religion, no name or colour. It is deplorable, condemnable. Pakistan should have realized that this menace should be put down by a firm hand."

At least three terror groups have claimed responsibility for the attack. Al-Qaeda affiliated militant group Jundallah, Tehreek-i-Taliban, which claimed that the attack was a reaction to Pakistani military's operation Zarb-i-Azb and Waziristan operation against insurgents. Another militant faction Jamat-ul-Ahrar, which broke away from the main TTP leadership in September also claimed responsibility for the attack.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed "grief and sorrow" and condemned the blast. He ordered authorities to provide best medical assistance to the injured.

Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif expressed the government's resolve to fight terrorism in the country. In a statement, he said the terrorists cannot dent the resolve of the nation to fight terrorism, Radio Pakistan reported.

The government has also announced Rs 500,000 to the kin of those killed and Rs 75,000 for the kin of those injured.