World leaders slam 'terrorist outrage'

"The secretary general is appalled by and condemns the series of terrorist bombings which have resulted in many deaths in the Indian capital," a statement released by Annan's press office said.

Islamabad was among the first to condemn the bombings and call for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

"The attack in a crowded marketplace is a criminal act of terrorism," the Pakistani foreign ministry said.

Messages of condemnation and condolences poured in from around the world.

Washington called the bomb blasts "another sad reminder that terror knows no borders".

"These acts are made more heinous in that they deliberately targeted innocent civilians preparing for holiday celebrations," US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a statement.

India's former colonial ruler Britain condemned the "appalling attacks" which Foreign Secretary Jack Straw called "yet another example of terrorists' cynical and callous disregard for human life."

Australian Prime Minister John Howard, noting that the target was not political but a market, called it a dreadful attack.

In Bangladesh, Foreign Minister M. Morshed Khan called the bombings a "heinous act" and officials bolstered security in and around the capital Dhaka, where a meeting of South Asian leaders is just two weeks away.

Japan, the Philippines and Afghanistan also condemned the attacks.

"It is an extremely cowardly and unforgivable act," Yoshinori Katori, a Japanese foreign ministry spokesman said in a statement.

Elsewhere, Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin called the violence "beyond deplorable", while South African President Thabo Mbeki offered condolences for the "dastardly act of terror".