New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS): The Indian government is committed to fight terrorism, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said Friday, adding that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) would probe the Hyderabad bombings.
Shinde told the Lok Sabha after returning from Hyderabad that the NIA would conduct the investigation along with the Andhra Pradesh Police.
"The government is committed to combat such cowardly terrorist attacks," the minister said, and vowed to ensure that the terrorists were punished.
He put the number of people killed in the twin bombings Thursday evening at 16 and said 117 others were injured.
In Hyderabad, he reviewed the situation with the Andhra Pradesh governor and chief minister as well as police officials.
He also visited the injured in hospitals.
Shinde said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced a compensation of Rs.2 lakh to families of the deceased.
The Andhra Pradesh government had announced Rs.6 lakh to families of the dead and Rs.50,000-Rs.1 lakh to the injured.
"The situation is (now) under control," he added.
Pakistan condemns terror attack in India
Islamabad, Feb 22 (IANS): Pakistan Friday condemned the deadly bomb attacks in the Indian city of Hyderabad, in which at least 16 people were killed and over 100 injured Thursday.
"Pakistan strongly condemns the bomb blasts in Hyderabad, India, causing several deaths and injuries," the foreign ministry said.
"Being itself a victim of terrorism, Pakistan fully understands and shares the pain and agony of the people of India. Our prayers and thoughts are with the families of victims of this terrorist attack," reported Xinhua citing a foreign ministry statement.
It said that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security, and added that all acts of terrorism are unjustifiable regardless of their motivation.
Serial bomb blasts rocked Hyderabad Thursday evening.
The blasts occurred in the busy market place in Dilsukhnagar area in the city. The bombs were placed on bicycles.