President condoles deaths in London attack

New Delhi, March 23 : President Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday condoled the loss of lives in the terror attack in London a day earlier and said India received the news with "shock and sadness".

At four persons were killed when a British-born attacker drove a car along the pavement, knocking down at least 40 pedestrians on the iconic and crowded Westminster Bridge near Parliament -- the heart of London-- on Wednesday before crashing into a fence below Big Ben. 

The attacker then stabbed the unarmed Palmer on the grounds of Parliament before he was shot dead.

"The news of the appalling acts of violence against innocent civilians that took place in London yesterday (Wednesday) has been received in India with shock and sadness. Our heartfelt sympathies go out to the families of the victims who succumbed to the grievous injuries suffered by them in the attack," the President said in his message to Queen Elizabeth II. 

He said India firmly believes that there can be no justification for terrorism under any circumstances and that the international community must work together with a sense of urgency to effectively eradicate this scourge on humanity. 

The President further said the people of India stand in solidarity with the citizens of the United Kingdom in this difficult hour. 

"We are confident that they will not allow their way of life to be affected by those who attempt to undermine democracy and the values of free, open and pluralistic societies. Please accept, Your Majesty, my deepest condolences at the tragic loss of life in yesterday's incident and sincere wishes for the full and speedy recovery of the injured," he said.