By Smita Prakash

Washington, Nov.25 (ANI): Stating that the 26/11 terror attack on Mumbai was a cause of deep sorrow for him both as India’s Prime Minister and as an ordinary citizen, Dr. Manmohan Singh told the media at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel here on the eve of the incident’s first anniversary that it should be observed as a “Day of Remembrance and all should pay homage to the innocent civilians and brave men in unform who lost their lives “in one of the worst terrorist attacks this country has seen”.

“On behalf of the nation, I would like to send out a message to family and friends of these victims, that we share their grief with a heavy heart. We will never forget the suffering they have gone through. Our thoughts are with them, as they pray for the souls of their loved ones,” Dr. Singh said at the press conference held in the Willard Room of the more than 150-year-old hotel, which has a rich history.

He further went on to describe the attack as “a calculated attempt by forces outside our country to destabilize our secular polity, create communal discord and undermine the country’s economic and social progress.”

Dr. Singh said such forces should have no doubt that they will fail in their “nefarious attempts”.

He assured kith and kin and others in India that this supreme sacrifice of “so many of our countrymen and women, and of people from distant foreign lands” would not go in vain.

India, he said, is committed to an open democratic secular polity, and therefore, would not be shaken by such assaults on “our way of life”.

“The government will not rest till we have brought the perpetrators of this horrible crime to justice. This is our solemn duty. We have taken up this matter with all the force at our command with Pakistan. We expect the masterminds of this attack and their supporters to be tried and punished. The infrastructure of terrorism and all safe havens have to be dismantled,” Dr. Singh said.

He further revealed that within the country, several measures have been taken to strengthen the security and intelligence system.

“An effective response mechanism to deter such threats in future has been put in place. We will take more such steps till we are satisfied that we have foolproof arrangements in place,” the Prime Minister said.

“I wish to assure the nation that strengthening internal security is a priority of our government and we will leave no stone unturned to safeguard and protect the lives of our citizens,” Dr. Singh added.

Re-emphasizing his anguish over the crime, he said that about 200 innocent people had perished, including foreigners, and reiterated that civilized nations of the world would join hands to take action to make the earth a safer planet. (ANI)