Sarabjit was India's brave son, says 'deeply saddened' PM

A "deeply saddened" Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday condoled the passing way of Sarabjit Singh and termed him a brave son of India.

"I am deeply saddened by the passing away of Sarabjit Singh. He was a brave son of India who bore his tribulations with valiant fortitude," the prime minister said in a statement.

The prime minister demanded that "the criminals responsible for the barbaric and murderous attack on Sarabjit must be brought to justice".

He regretted that the Pakistan government had not heeded the pleas of the Indian government to take a humanitarian view in the case.

"It is particularly regrettable that the government of Pakistan did not heed the pleas of the government of India, Sarabjit's family and of civil society in India and Pakistan to take a humanitarian view of this case."

Manmohan Singh said the government would bring Sarabjit's body back home. "May his soul be granted the peace that he could not enjoy in life. Government will make the arrangements to bring his remains home and for his last rites to be conducted in consultation with his family. The nation shares their profound grief with them," he added.