Terror strike underlines threat posed by extremists: CPI(M)

NEW DELHI: Condemning the suicide attack at Wagah border which claimed the lives of 61 people, CPI(M) today said that strike underlines the threat posed by extremist groups which needs to be countered through close cooperation between both the countries.

"This horrific attack underlines the threat posed by the extremist-terrorist groups in both Pakistan and India which needs to be countered by close cooperation between the two countries," the party's Polit Bureau said in a statement.

The death toll in the suicide attack that shook Pakistan minutes after the popular flag-lowering ceremony at Wagah climbed to 61 today, even as security agencies arrested about 20 suspects from the Indo-Pak border area.

The party expressed its shock and grief at the attack and said "the Polit Bureau conveys its heartfelt condolences to all the families in Pakistan who have been affected by the terrorist attack."

The blast took place when a large number of people were returning after attending the flag lowering ceremony at the main Indo-Pak land border crossing, which is heavily guarded by the Punjab Rangers.