ISLAMABAD, Oct 28: President General Pervez Musharraf has expressed deep sense of shock and sorrow over the killing of innocent people in a church at Bahawalpur on Sunday by the terrorists.

Condemning the attack, the president said that he had just been informed of a terrorist attack on a peaceful Sunday service in a church in Bahawalpur.

“According to reports 16 innocent and precious lives have been lost. It saddens me deeply and my heart goes out to the victims and their families”, the president said.

“A thorough investigation is already underway. The method used and the inhuman tactics employed clearly indicate involvement of trained terrorists organizations bent upon creating discord and disharmony in Pakistan where Christians and Muslims have always lived in peace with mutual respect for each other”.

The president said, “I shall not comment any further on the identity of the terrorists until the investigation is concluded. I would however like to assure everyone that we shall track down the culprits and bring them to justice”.

The president has directed two federal ministers Col S.K. Tressler and Dr Mahmud Ghazi to immediately rush to Bahawalpur and visit the bereaved families and express condolence on his behalf. The ministers have also been directed to recommend compensation.