Japanese Ambassador to India condemns Mumbai attacks
30 Nov 2008, 1818 Hrs

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New Delhi, Nov 30 Condemning the coordinated attacks of Mumbai, Ambassador of Japan to India Hideaki Domichi said here on Sunday that fighting terrorism is a common agenda for the nations of the world.

Terrorists armed with rifles and grenades -- at least some of whom arrived by sea -- had fanned out across Mumbai on Wednesday night.

Gunfire and explosions rocked two luxury hotels and a Jewish centre leaving at least 195 people killed and 295 wounded after nearly a three-day long siege.

According to authorities, 22 foreigners were among the dead, including three Germans, three Israelis, one American, one Australian, a Briton, two Canadians, an Italian, a Japanese, a Singaporean, a Mauritian, a Thai and a Chinese national. Five were unidentified, they said.

Domichi said that according to information available to him, the identity of the deceased Japanese is yet to be ascertained. He added that another Japanese was among the injured.

"I think it is the common agenda, the government of India and people has been suffering from the brutal forces of terrorism and one Japanese citizen has been killed and the other one is injured and as far as we know that the search for the identity of those who has been killed is still underway," said Domichi on the sidelines of an event.

The attacks struck at the heart of Mumbai, the engine room of an economic boom that has made India a favourite emerging market.

Around 195 people were killed and more than 300 injured in the attacks.

Acting in small groups these militants indiscriminately shot people and within a short span of time left the metropolis bleeding.

Those dead included chairman of a multi national bank, sister and brother-in-law of a Bollywood actor, food critic and journalist of a leading national daily.

Mumbai was hit by serial bomb blasts in 1993 that killed at least 260 people at the stock exchange and other landmarks. Two years ago, more than 180 people died when Islamist militants bombed commuter trains. (ANI)