Nearly 50 people have reportedly been killed and over 100 wounded as a result of the 17 blasts which struck residential areas, market places, public transport and hospitals within an hour on Saturday in the western city of Ahmedabad. That attack came a day after several devices went off in the southern city of Bangalore, killing two people.

“The Secretary-General sends his deepest sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives, the wounded and the people and Government of India,” Mr. Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement issued yesterday.

“He reiterates that no cause or grievance can justify terrorist acts of this kind and appeals for restraint in the face of such provocation,” the statement added.

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Ban Ki-moon deplores deadly terrorist bombings in Indian city of Jaipur