MOSCOW, July 14: Russia called on Pakistan on Sunday to crack down on the Islamic militants, saying it must break the “links in the chain” of terrorism after an attack on Hindus in Kashmir which left 27 dead.

“The first condition for ending terror in Kashmir is the fulfilment by Pakistani authorities of their duties to put an end to terrorist group activities in the Pakistan-controlled territories,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

In what India said was an attack sponsored or encouraged by Pakistan, Islamic militants disguised as Hindu holy men attacked a mainly-Hindu shantytown in southern Kashmir late on Saturday.

India said the attackers had lobbed grenades and opened fire randomly at residents in Jammu, who were mainly labourers, killing 27.

Russia compared the Jammu massacre to a grenade attack launched against European tourists on Saturday in the NWFP, calling both “links in the same chain of international terrorism.”

Russia maintains a close relationship with India, which is one of its main buyers of weapons and military equipment.

France also condemned Saturday’s attack, but stopped short of sending a direct message to Pakistan.

In a statement released on Sunday, the foreign ministry said it “vigorously” condemned the attacks, adding that such acts “require that everyone hold true to their responsibilities in order to avoid a build-up of further violence.”

French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin spoke with Indian Foreign Minister Yashwant Sinha to express sympathy for the victims’ families and the over 35 people wounded, the ministry said.—AFP