Britain Condemns Deadly Attack on Temple in India

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, September 25, 2002

Britain Condemns Deadly Attack on Temple in India

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on Tuesday condemned a group of gunmen who stormed a Hindu temple in the Indian state of Gujarat, killing several dozen worshippers and injuring many others.

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British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on Tuesday condemned a group of gunmen who stormed a Hindu temple in the Indian state of Gujarat, killing several dozen worshippers and injuring many others.

"I am horrified by this attack on innocent civilians. I strongly condemn all acts of terrorism. Religion can never be an excuse or justification for violence," Straw said in a statement issued after learning the tragedy.

"My thoughts are with the victims and their relatives," he said.

At least 23 people were killed when the gunmen went on a shooting spree in Swaminarayan temple complex in Gandhinagar in India's west Gujarat state on Tuesday evening.

The attack took place at around 5.20 p.m. local time and not many devotees were inside the complex.

Indian Deputy Prime Minister Lal Advani appealed for calm between Hindus and Muslims in Gujarat, where religious violence killed hundreds of people earlier this year, many of them Muslims.

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