Saturday, July 15 2006 10:41 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Mumbai: Without taking any country's name, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday (July 14, 2006) said the serial blasts in Mumbai were carried out by terrorists with support from across the border, and warned Pakistan that it would be 'exceedingly difficult' to carry forward the peace process if it did not control terrorist elements operating from its territory.

"I have explained it to the government of Pakistan at the highest level that if the acts of terrorism are not controlled, it is exceedingly difficult for any government to carry forward what may be called as normalisation and peace process," he told a press conference here after a three-hour visit to the city rocked by Tuesday's blasts in trains that killed about 200 people.

"We are also certain that these terror modules are instigated, inspired and supported by elements across the border without which they cannot act with such devastating effects," he said.

Asked whether talks on confidence-building measures with Pakistan will continue, Singh said, "Pakistan, in 2004, had solemnly given an assurance that Pakistani territory will not be used to promote, encourage, aid and abet terrorist elements directed against India.

"That assurance has to be fulfilled before the peace process or other processes can make progress," he said.

Noting that the terrorists were intending to destroy India's economic strength, unity and communal harmony, he asserted, "We cannot allow this to happen."

Earlier, Singh visited hospitals where those injured in the blasts are being treated and met top officials of the state government.