United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on Tuesday joined the United States, Britain, France and other countries in strongly condemning the massacre of 24 Kashmiri pandits in Jammu and Kashmir, and described it as a 'cowardly act of terrorism'.

Annan 'sends his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families', his spokesman said in New York

US President George W Bush also condemned the massacre as a 'cowardly attack' and expressed his resolve to work with friends and allies to fight terrorism at home and abroad.

France said nothing can justify such acts as it reaffirmed its determination to fight against terrorism, its networks and support.

Describing the terror attack as 'horrible', US Secretary of State Colin Powell in a telephonic conversation with External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha said he would speak to Pakistan again about cross-border terrorism.

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw also telephoned Sinha and expressed shock at the appalling murder and attacks on innocent civilians.

Japan and the European Union also condemned the terror attack in strong terms.