India today condemned the attack by Israeli marine commandos on a six-ship convoy carrying hundreds of pro-Palestinian activists on an aid mission to Gaza strip killing at least 10 people and wounding 60.
"India deplores the tragic loss of life and the reports of killings and injuries to people on the boats carrying supplies for Gaza," an External Affairs Ministry statement said here.
"There can be no justification for such indiscriminate use of force, which we condemn. We extend our sympathies to the families of the dead and wounded," it added.
It underlined India's firm conviction that lasting peace and security in the region can be achieved only through peaceful dialogue and not through use of force.
Some 700 pro-Palestinian activists were on board the flotilla, including 1976 Nobel Peace laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire of Northern Ireland, European legislators and an elderly Holocaust survivor.
Israeli marine commandos had opened fire after being attacked with axes and knives by a number of passengers on board the aid ships, an Israeli private channel, without disclosing the source of its information, said.
Most of the dead were Turkish nationals.
While the Israeli Army said 10 activists were killed, the Turkish charity involved with the tragedy claimed 15 people were shot dead.
Emerging story. Watch this space for updates as more details come in
© Copyright PTI. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of any PTI content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without their prior written consent.