The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

President Professor Dr Iajuddin Ahmed expressed his deep shock and sorrow at the loss of lives and the taking of hostages in terrible terror strikes in Indian business-capital Mumbai since Wednesday night through Thursday.

In a message of condolence to his counterpart Mrs. Pratibha Devisingh Patil he noted that "Bangladesh stands firm with her friends in India at this hour of grief".

President Iajuddin conveyed his deepest sympathies to the bereaved families.

Chief Adviser of the Caretaker Government Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed in a separate message to Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh condemned the acts of terror - which were unleashed on the city of Mumbai last night - as "heinous crimes (committed)".

Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed expressed the hope that the release of the hostages would be speedy.

He conveyed his sympathies for members of the bereaved families and prayed for an early recovery of those injured in the gun and bomb attacks, which reportedly left over a hundred people dead and around 300 others wounded.