Indian leaders condemn terror strikes in Paris

New Delhi, November 14

India condemned on Saturday the multiple terror strikes in Paris that left more than 120 dead, with President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that the country would support France during these “trying times”.

President Mukherjee said: "India stands firmly by France, my heart goes out to its people."

Soon after the attacks, Prime Minister Modi, who was in London, tweeted: "News from Paris is anguishing & dreadful. Prayers with families of the deceased. We are united with people of France in this tragic hour."

A series of coordinated attacks targeting concert-goers, soccer fans and Parisians enjoying a Friday night out at popular nightspots killed at least 128 people.

French President Francois Hollande declared a state of emergency and announced that he was closing the country's borders.

Anguished over the attacks, Home Minister Rajnath Singh: "In this difficult hour, the people of India firmly stand with the people of France. Words can't adequately condemn such attacks where innocent people have been killed," he said.

"All nations should join hands together to fight the menace of terrorism. There is an urgent need for all the countries to come together to face the challenge of terrorism."

He, however, refused to draw parallels between the Paris attack with the one in Mumbai in 2008.

 "I don't want to compare it with any other incident. An act of terror is an act of terror act," he said.

Condemning the ghastly attacks, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi: "Strongly condemn the terrorist attack in Paris. My thoughts & prayers are with the people of France in this hour of grief and anguish," he tweeted.

"Terror cannot defeat freedom and liberty, it will only strengthen our resolve to fight against this senseless violence," he said.

Describing the attack as one on humanity, the BJP called countries to  fight the Islamic State jihadists together. While there is no independent confirmation, a several messages after the attack pointed to a possible Islamic State involvement. According to early reports, two or three gunmen that began firing at a concert in Bataclan — the worst attack of the day — shouted they were avenging France’s involvement in the battle against the jihadists on Syria.  

France is a founder member of the US-led coalition waging air strikes against Islamic State fighters in Syria and Iraq. — Agencies