PM Manmohan Singh condemns terror attack in Russia as "ghastly", writes to Vladimir Putin

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today strongly condemned the "ghastly" terrorist attacks in the southern Russian city of Volgograd and conveyed to Russian President Vladimir Putin condolences for the victims.

In a letter to Putin, Singh termed the attacks as "unconscionable" crime against humanity and said he was "outraged and pained" to know about them.

"On behalf of people and Government of India and on my personal behalf, please accept our deepest condolences on the loss of lives and injuries in these ghastly attacks. Our prayers go out to families of all the victims," Singh said in the letter.

At least 14 people were killed today when a suicide bomber blew himself up on a trolleybus in Volgograd.

"India strongly condemns these terrorist strikes against innocent civilians. These attacks are a grave violation of human rights and an unconscionable crime against humanity. We stand resolutely together with the people of Russia in the face of these horrible acts of terrorism," the Prime Minister wrote to Putin.

Putin has already ordered stepped up security across the country.