Powerful voice of peace silenced: India on Burhanudin Rabbani killing

Condemning the assassination of Chairman of the Afghan High Peace Council Burhanudin Rabbani, India Tuesday said tragically the forces of terror and hatred have silenced "another powerful voice of peace" there and reiterated its steadfast support to that country.

Expressing shock at the death of Rabbani, also former President of Afghanistan, External Affairs Minister SM Krishna "unreservedly" condemned the act of "great brutality."

"I fondly recall my meetings with him in Kabul and again in New Delhi last July when he had shared his vision of a harmonious and prosperous Afghanistan," he said in a statement here, hours after Rabbani was killed in a suicide bomb attack at his home close to the US Embassy in Kabul.

"Tragically, the forces of terror and hatred have silenced yet another powerful voice of reason and peace in Afghanistan. We unreservedly condemn this act of great brutality," the Minister said.

However, Krishna reiterated the steadfast support of the people and government of India in Afghanistan's "quest for peace and efforts to strengthen the roots of democracy".

He also offered his "deepest condolences" to the family of Rabbani and to the people of Afghanistan.