Ban deplores series of deadly bombings in India

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has strongly condemned the series of bombings that struck two Indian cities in recent days, killing and wounding numerous civilians.

Nearly 50 people have reportedly been killed and over 100 wounded as a result of the 17 blasts which struck residential areas, market places, public transport and hospitals within an hour on Saturday in the western city of Ahmedabad. That attack came a day after several devices went off in the southern city of Bangalore, killing two people.

“The Secretary-General sends his deepest sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives, the wounded and the people and Government of India,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement issued yesterday.

“He reiterates that no cause or grievance can justify terrorist acts of this kind and appeals for restraint in the face of such provocation,” the statement added.