Indian PM phones Putin, expressing condolences on loss of lives in Metro blast

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday telephoned Russian President Vladimir Putin and expressed his deepest condolences on the loss of lives in St. Petersburg Metro bombing on Monday.

"PM expressed deepest condolences to the government and people of Russia on the tragic loss of lives in the blast in St. Petersburg metro," the Prime Minister's Office said.

Modi had earlier also condoled the deaths of people in the Metro blast. "Deeply saddened by the loss of lives in the blast at St Petersburg metro. Heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims," he tweeted on the day of the blast.

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee condoled the next day the loss of lives in the deadly terror attack on Russia's St Petersburg Metro. "Shocked & saddened by news of terror blast in St Petersburg; my deepest condolences to bereaved families, people & government of Russia," he tweeted Tuesday.

As many as 14 people were killed and 49 others injured in the explosion on a Metro train between two underground stations in St Petersburg Monday which was termed as a terror attack.

The bombing suspect has been identified as a native of Kyrgyzstan, with the Kyrgyz security service naming him as Akbarzhon Jalilov. However, there are conflicting reports as to whether he was a suicide bomber. Endit