New Delhi: India today (Mar 23, 2004) said it was appalled by the killing of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin in an Israeli missile strike on Gaza, and called for restraint and a resumption of the peace process in line with relevant UN resolutions.

"We are appalled by the killing in Gaza of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin, spiritual leader of Hamas yesterday (Mar 22) in an Israeli missile strike. We believe that it would exacerbate the cycle of violence and counter-violence, not only in Gaza but also elsewhere in the region," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters in New Delhi.

He stressed that, "the need of the hour is restraint and a resumption of the peace process in line with relevant UN resolutions."

Israeli helicopters had fired three missiles at the car carrying the wheelchair bound paraplegic leader as he left a mosque near his house in Gaza City, killing him instantly.

Sixty-seven-year-old Yassin and his six bodyguards were among those killed while at least 15 people were wounded.