Monday, May 22 2006 13:06 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said yesterday's (May 21, 2006) attack by militants in Srinagar cannot derail the ongoing peace process initiated by the Centre in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We condemn such attacks with full force. Such incidents cannot stop the peace efforts. The Prime Minister has said that the roundtable conference will take place (on May 24 and 25) in Srinagar. We all are going," Patil told reporters here.

The Government would not be cowed down by such terrorist attacks, he said, adding such incidents only generated hatred in the minds of people against perpetrators of such violence.

Asked what his message would be to Pakistan, the Home Minister evaded a direct answer and said, "We cannot appreciate such incidents and we can only condemn it." The Home Minister assured all possible help to the kin of those killed and to those injured in the attack."

He said the Government has already sent two doctors to Srinagar and offered all possible assistance to the injured.

Earlier, Patil in a statement said the attack was an attempt to detail the ongoing peace process in the state and such incidents "Will not deter the government from pursuing the goal of lasting peace and progress in J&K".

The attack came just ahead of the Prime Minister's visit to Srinagar on May 24 to attend the roundtable conference with Kashmiri groups and individuals.

The first roundtable conference was held in Delhi.