Christian group condemns Pune blast that killed nine

The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) Monday condemned in the "strongest possible terms" the bomb blast in Pune that killed nine people and left nearly 60 injured.

The blast took place Saturday evening at Pune's popular German Bakery that is located near a Chabad House, a Jewish prayer house.

"GCIC condemns in strongest terms the senseless terror attack on innocent people in Pune on Saturday evening," said a statement on the website.

The advocacy group said it "offers prayers for the dead and shares deepest sympathies with the families of the victims who struggle to come to terms with the loss of their dear ones."

GCIC also prayed for the "speedy and complete recovery of those injured in the bomb blasts."

The Saturday blast occurred a day after India and Pakistan agreed to resume their peace talks stalled since the Mumbai terror attack on November 26, 2008.

The blast was reportedly triggered as part of what is called the Karachi Project planned by Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba. Two foreigners, an Italian woman and an Iranian student, were among the nine people killed.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, meanwhile, called for a speedy investigation and hoped the culprits responsible for this heinous act will be identified and brought to justice at the earliest.

The Prime Minister expressed his deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of those killed and to the injured.

He announced relief from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund of Rs. 2 lakh to the next of kin of those killed and Rs. 1 lakh to the injured.