Tuesday, July 5 2005 14:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Strongly condemning the terrorist attack in Ayodhya, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (July 5, 2005) declared the Government's "determination and resolve" to deal firmly with all such acts of terrorism which are a threat to India's security and polity.

"The Government views the incident as a serious one. All States have been alerted to take adequate precautions for protecting monuments, security installations and religious places," he said describing the attack as "unfortunate."

The Prime Minister, who was scheduled to undertake an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas in Gujarat, cancelled his visit in view of the attack.

Reaffirming the country's resolve not to allow terrorist elements to succeed in their nefarious designs, the Prime Minister said, "Particular attention has been drawn towards maintaining communal harmony, peace and public order," according to his media advisor Sanjaya Baru.

Observing that the attackers were killed during the shootout, Singh said, "It is also fortunate that no damage occurred to the physical structures at the site of the incident".

Baru said Home Minister Shivraj Patil briefed the Prime Minister and the Cabinet about the developments.

The Prime Minister has spoken to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav on phone, discussed the incident and asked him to take all necessary measures to maintain communal harmony, Baru said.

The Cabinet Committee on Security, presided by the Prime Minister, also reviewed the security scenario across the country.

The Prime Minister also appealed to all citizens to be "calm" and urged political leaders to help maintain public peace.