Jaishankar dials Russian counterpart Lavrov, expresses condolence over loss of lives in Moscow terror attack

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Sunday (Mar 24) held a telephonic conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and expressed his deepest condolence over the loss of lives in the Moscow terror attack.

Taking to his official X account, Jaishankar wrote, "Spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. Conveyed our deepest condolences on the loss of lives in the horrific terrorist attack in Moscow."

Spoke to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Conveyed our deepest condolences on the loss of lives in the horrific terrorist attack in Moscow. — Dr. S. Jaishankar (Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrSJaishankar) March 24, 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (Mar 23) condemned the terror attack that shook a packed concert hall in Moscow, calling it a 'heinous act' and also expressed solidarity with the Russian government and its people.

"We strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack in Moscow. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. India stands in solidarity with the government and the people of the Russian Federation in this hour of grief," PM Modi wrote on his X official handle.

We strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack in Moscow. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims. India stands in solidarity with the government and the people of the Russian Federation in this hour of grief. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 23, 2024

The heinous attack at the Crocus City Hall music venue near Moscow on Friday (Mar 22) claimed the lives of 133 people, reported Russia-based TASS news agency, citing the Russian Investigative Committee.

The responsibility for the attack was claimed by ISIS.

Putin vows action against perpetrators

Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed action against the perpetrators of the devastating attack in his address on Saturday.

During the televised address, the Russian leader said, "All the executors, planners and those who ordered this crime will be rightfully and inevitably punished, whoever they are and whoever directed them. Let me repeat: we will identify and punish everyone who stood behind the terrorists, who prepared this attack against Russia, against our people."

Citing a probe into the attack, he also claimed that four attackers were fleeing towards Ukraine when they were nabbed.

"Regarding the investigation of this crime and results of operational search actions, I can now say the following: all four of the actual performers of the act of terror, all those who shot and killed people were found and detained. They tried to hide and were moving in the direction of Ukraine."

"There, according to the preliminary data, they had a crossing of the border prepared from the Ukrainian side. Overall, 11 people were detained," Putin added.

‘Low-life Putin trying to shift blame,’ says Zelensky

Following the Russian leader's remarks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a nightly public address condemned Russia for trying to shift the blame for the attack on Kyiv.

Calling Russian president Vladimir Putin a “low-life”, Zelensky said: “What happened yesterday in Moscow is obvious: Putin and the other scum are just trying to blame it on someone else … They always have the same methods.”

The untoward incident unfolded on Friday evening at Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, on the western outskirts of the Russian capital.

The terrorists struck the venue with a capacity of 7,500 at the time it was almost full.

The attack struck the concert hall minutes before the performance by Russian rock band Picnic, reported RT news agency.

(With inputs from agencies)