His Majesty King Gyanendra has expressed deep sadness over the loss of lives and massive destruction of properties caused by the devastating earthquake that struck different parts of the Pakistan, India and Afghanistan on Saturday.

Sending separate messages to the Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf, Indian President A.P.J Abdul Kalam and Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Sunday, the King extended heartfelt condolence and sympathy on behalf of the people of Nepal, official news agency RSS said.

Over 20,000 people have died in the massive earthquake while more than 40,000 people were injured and hundreds of thousands were rendered homeless. Most deaths occurred in the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK), according to news agencies.