(Agencies)
Updated: 2007-12-28 13:06

Moscow -- Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message of condolences to his Pakistani counterpart regarding a terrorist act on Thursday and hoped those responsible will be found and punished, the Kremlin press service said.

"We learned with deep regret of a barbarous terrorist act in the city of Rawalpindi on December 27, in which many people were killed, including the leader of the Pakistan People's Party, ex- prime minister Benazir Bhutto," Putin said in his message to President Pervez Musharraf.

"We hope the masterminds of that crime will be found and will face deserved punishment," Putin said. "This is a defiance bid by forces of terrorism not only to Pakistan, but also to the whole international community."

"Expressing our solidarity with the Pakistani people at this tragic time, I ask you to convey sincere deep condolences to the next of kin of the victims, and wish an early recovery to those who were injured as a result of the terrorist act," he said.

Bhutto, 54, died in a hospital after the attack in Rawalpindi, some 30 km south from Islamabad. Latest reports said at least 20 were injured in the attack.

Bhutto served twice as Pakistan's prime minister between 1988 and 1996. She returned to Pakistan from an eight-year exile on October 18.

She narrowly escaped a suicide bomb attack during her homecoming parade in Karachi on October 19.