India expressed shock and horror at the assassination of Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto and said her death should strengthen the resolve to fight terrorism, according to dpa. "Mrs Bhutto was no ordinary political leader, but one who left a deep imprint on her time and age ... The manner of her going is a reminder of the common dangers that our region faces from cowardly acts of terrorism and of the need to eradicate this dangerous threat," Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said in a statement. Praising Bhutto's contributions to India-Pakistan relations, he said: "Her contributions to a previous moment of hope in India Pakistan relations, and her intent to break India-Pakistan relations out of the sterile patterns of the past, were exemplary. In her death, the sub-continent has lost an outstanding leader who worked for democracy and reconciliation in her country." Indian Foreign Minister Pranab Mukherjee described Bhutto as a brave and outstanding woman. "That she should fall to a barbarous terrorist attack is particularly tragic, and should strengthen our resolve to fight this scourge," he said. Mukherjee said Bhutto's contributions to democracy, to the improvement of India-Pakistan relations and to the restoration of normalcy within Pakistan would remain an inspiration. Both the Indian leaders expressed their condolences to Bhutto's family and the people of Pakistan.
