Tuesday, September 5 2006 11:20 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Condemning the killing of three Indian pilgrims in Iraq, the country's charge d'Affaires Muayad Hussain has urged India to bolster democracy and help in restoring security in his strife-torn country.

"We consider all such activities as terrorism. My government is doing its sources in an interview here.

He was speaking about to the gunning down of by insurgents of three Indians and eleven Pakistanis last week when they were going on a pilgrimage to the Shia holy town of Karbala.

The 14 Indians and 26 Pakistanis were intercepted at Rutba in Iraq and killed. It was the first reported case of Indians falling victim to the escalating anarchy in Iraq.

The diplomat asserted it was a 'freak incident' and hoped it would not happen again. He sought India's support for Iraq's fledgling democracy and also to arrest the rapid deterioration in law and order in his country.

"Our government is taking more positive steps to overcome the security situation in Iraq. We want India to support the new government and evolve democracy there and help us in creating a safe and secure Iraq," Hussain said.

India has spurned an American request to contribute troops for peacekeeping in Iraq, saying it would do so only under the UN flag. New Delhi has however agreed to help in Iraq's reconstruction.

The Aug 31 terror attack on pilgrims has again put the spotlight on the sharpening Shia-Sunni divide and the unending activities of insurgents in Iraq since an attack on a Shia mosque in Samarra early this year.

The Indians and Pakistanis were executed in Rutba, the heartland of Sunni insurgency. The three Indians, all males, were from Andhra Pradesh and were with their families when they were ambushed, separated from the women and shot.

Indian government officials have insinuated that the killers were robbers.

Saying that while Iraq respects New Delhi's travel advisory asking Indians not to visit his country, Hussain claimed Baghdad would still love to receive Indians.

"We respect the Indian decision. Iraq is open to Indians visiting the country. We welcome them to visit Iraq," Hussain said.

The diplomat, however, admitted to logistical problems in ensuring the security of everyone in as vast a country as Iraq. "It's a sad incident. But Iraq is a huge country and it's not possible to ensure everybody's security day and night. I hope that this incident is not repeated in the future," he said.

Asserting that the new Iraqi regime headed by Nouri Al-Maliki enjoyed popular backing, he blamed the killings of Indians and Pakistanis on "isolated disgruntled elements opposed to democracy and human freedoms".

"Most of the Iraqi people are supporting the new government in Iraq," the diplomat insisted.

"There are some frustrated people, however, who don't like freedom and who don't like democracy. These are terrorists and we are confident we will be able to rid Iraq of them.

"We hope we will be able to establish lasting security in Iraq," he added.