India's PM appeals for calm

2008-11-27 14:22

New Delhi - India's prime minister said on Thursday that those behind coordinated attacks against Mumbai were based "outside the country" and warned "neighbours" who provide a haven to anti-India militants.

In a televised address to the nation, Manmohan Singh also appealed to the country to "maintain peace and harmony" in the wake of the attacks that left at least 100 dead and up to 300 more wounded.

"The well-planned and well-orchestrated attacks, probably with external linkages, were intended to create a sense of panic, by choosing high profile targets and indiscriminately killing foreigners," Singh said.

"It is evident that the group which carried out these attacks, based outside the country, had come with single-minded determination to create havoc in the commercial capital of the country.

"We will take up strongly with our neighbours that the use of their territory for launching attacks on us will not be tolerated, and that there would be a cost if suitable measures are not taken by them," he added.

India has in the past frequently accused arch-rival Pakistan of backing Islamic militants active in India, although the prime minister did not identify any country by name.

"In this hour of tragedy, I appeal to the people to maintain peace and harmony so that the enemies of our country do not succeed in their nefarious designs," he said.

"All concerned authorities are on alert and will deal sternly with any attempts to disturb public order. I am confident that the people of India will rise unitedly to face this grave challenge to the nation's security and integrity," he added.

He also vowed to take "the strongest possible measures to ensure that there is no repetition of such terrorist acts."

"Existing laws will be tightened to ensure that there are no loopholes available to terrorists to escape the clutches of the law," he said.

- SAPA