New Delhi, Sept 02: India today strongly condemned the Najaf bombing that killed revered Shiite leader ayatollah Mohammad Baqer al-Hakim and 82 others, saying such terror attacks could trigger sectarian strife and complicate the already very difficult situation in Iraq. "We strongly condemn such brutal acts of terrorism targeting political leaders and innocent civilians," External Affairs Ministry spokesman told reporters. Observing that the situation in Iraq was already "unstable", he said "such terror attacks, which have the potential of sparking sectariian strife, can complicate the already very difficult situation".
The Shiite leader Friday was killed when two cars exploded outside the mausoleum of imam Ali in an attack that left 125 injured.

The Najaf bombing along with deadly attacks on the UN Headquarters and the Jordanian Embassy in Baghdad, have raised fears that the situation in Iraq was becoming more difficult.


It has also further angered many in Iraq's Shiite community, who make up about 60 percent of the population. The US-led coalition forces have come in for flak for their failure to provide adequate security.

Asked about a report that India has decided to cut down its mission strength in Baghdad in the wake of the Najaf attack, the mea spokesman said "we are not aware of any decision taken by the government asking our mission in Baghdad to minimise Indian presence in Iraq". Bureau Report