Washington: The United States, Britain, Pakistan, Afghanistan and South Africa on Tuesday condemned the Mumbai bomb blasts, saying they were terrorist acts designed to strike at innocent people.

``Today there were multiple terrorist attacks in India — in Srinagar and in Mumbai. We condemn these attacks in the strongest possible terms,'' U.S. State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack said.

``We have been in touch with the Indian Government concerning these attacks and, of course, we will offer any assistance that they might request. I understand that the investigation is ongoing as to who is responsible for these attacks,'' he told reporters during his daily briefing here.

Condemning the ``brutal and shameful attacks,'' British Prime Minister Tony Blair said: ``There can never be any justification for terrorism ... we stand united with India, as the world's largest democracy, through our shared values and our shared determination to defeat terrorism in all its forms.''

Terming the blasts a ``despicable act of terrorism,'' Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz condemned the attacks.

``Pakistan strongly condemns the series of bomb blasts on commuter trains in Mumbai. This despicable act of terrorism has resulted in the loss of a large number of precious lives,'' said a statement issued by the Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson.

``Terrorism is a bane of our times and it must be condemned, rejected and countered effectively and comprehensively,'' the statement said.

Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam also said Islamabad condemned the blasts in Jammu and Kashmir.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai and South African Thabo Mbeki joined other world leaders in voicing outrage over the serial explosions.

A report from Moscow quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin saying nothing could justify such a ``monstrous'' terrorist act.

``There is no, and there can be no, justification for a crime of such cynicism and monstrosity,'' he said in a statement.

``The terrorists guilty of this crime must be severely punished,'' he said, voicing his condolences to the Indian Government and the President.

In Brussels, European Union Foreign Policy Chief Javier Solana said: ``I am shocked by Tuesday's bomb attacks in Mumbai and I condemn in the strongest possible terms these despicable acts of terrorism, which have caused death and injuries to scores of innocent people,'' he said. — PTI, Agencies

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