New Delhi: Parliament on November 18 condemned the dastardly killing of 28 innocent pilgrims, including women and children, in the Akshardham temple terrorist attack in Gujarat in September, saying terrorism could not be justified on any ground.

Making a reference on the opening day of the winter session of Parliament to the incident, Rajya Sabha chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat commended the exemplary courage with which the security personnel dealt with the situation.

In the Lok Sabha, Speaker Manohar Joshi said, "We also strongly condemn those who support terrorism or finance, train, harbour or support terrorists."

Members of both Houses observed a minute's silence in memory of those killed in the attack.

Both Houses also condoled the death of 107 persons in the Rajdhani Express accident near Gaya in Bihar.

House assails Moscow attack too: Parliament also condemned the terrorist attack on a Moscow theatre on October 23 and reaffirmed India's commitment to fight terrorism in all its forms.

Expressing deep sympathy and solidarity with the government and friendly people of Russia with whom India shares a close, warm and long-standing relationship, Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi said, "India firmly condemns all acts of terrorism wherever they may occur and whatever may be their motivation."

Rajya Sabha chairman Bhairon Singh Shekhawat said, "We wish to convey to our Russian brothers and sisters and to our fellow Parliamentarians in the Russian Federation that this House, which itself was the target of a terrorist attack last December, is one with them in their grief and also in their resolution to fight the scourge of terrorism."

The presiding officers of both Houses said terrorism cannot be justified on any ground and must be condemned unambiguously wherever it exists.

They strongly condemned those who support terrorism or finance, train, harbour or support terrorists.

PTI