New Delhi: Condemnation against the Amarnath attack poured in from the international community on Tuesday, with the US and Iran deploring the strike and Germany, France and Bangladesh expressing their solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism and extremism.
While Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina wrote to her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, condemning the “heinous” terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims and reaffirming her country's support to India at this “difficult hour”, Nepal's foreign affairs ministry, in a release, also strongly denounced the terrorist attack and expressed its condolences.
Afghanistan, which is at the front-line in the fight against terrorism, has always evinced its honesty and valour in counter-terrorism efforts, once again stressing on putting up a collective and earnest fight against terrorism through a unified strategy, a statement from the Afghan president's office said.
Strongly condemning the terror attack targeting a bus of pilgrims, Afghanistan president Ashraf Ghani said, “Being enemies of civilisation and humanity, terrorists don't respect any religion and law but in order to disseminate terror and hate, they target sacred locations and civilians including women and children.
In a message, Pavel Dorokhin, member of state duma and deputy chairman of India-Russia inter-parliamentary committee, said,
On behalf of all our deputies in the state duma, I convey our deep condolences on the terrorist attack in J&K on Monday. Russia stands united against terrorism and terrorism cannot be justified. Our joint efforts and unity in developing our cooperation will be the basis for ensuring security in Eurasia.
The United States has appointed Kenneth I Juster as its ambassador to India, but he is yet to take office.US ambassador's official Twitter handle posted:
We deplore the attack on #Amarnath pilgrims & condemn all acts of terrorism. Deepest condolences to the families & all those affected
France sent out a message of solidarity. Spokesperson of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs said:
France assures the people and authorities of India of its solidarity in face of terrorism. During their meeting in Paris on 3 June this year, the French president and Modi, had declared counter-terrorism to be a priority of our strategic partnership German ambassador Martin Ney in his message said he strongly condemned the terrorist attack on behalf of his government. He also conveyed deepest condolences to the families of the victims.
Germany resolutely stands by India in the fight against terrorism and extremism. As the G20 leaders just reaffirmed in Hamburg, we are resolved to tackle terrorism as a common challenge to the global community, Ney said.
Hasina reiterated Bangladesh's “zero tolerance” policy against terrorism and vowed to continue to work together with India to eradicate the menace: A Bangladesh embassy release said.
The Embassy of Iran said in a release that it “condemns in the strongest possible words the Monday night terror attack on the Amarnath pilgrims.” The embassy also extended condolences to the Indian government and families of victims.
“Nepal prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba strongly condemns the attack on innocent pilgrims, expresses deep condolences & sympathies to the Indian government and its people,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted.
In another tweet, he said, “Maldives foreign minister Mohamed Asim strongly condemns #AmarnathTerrorAttack in letter to External Affairs Minister @SushmaSwaraj. (He) Says committed to fight terrorism.”
Canadian High Commissioner to India, Nadir Patel tweeted, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the senseless attacks on #AmarnathYatra Canada condemns all acts of terror @CanadainIndia.”
Sri Lanka, Mauritius and Bhutan also condemned the terror attack in which seven Amarnath pilgrims were killed and 19 injured when their bus came under heavy gunfire from terrorists in south Kashmir's Anantnag district on Monday night.
The bus, bearing a Gujarat registration number, was on its way from Baltal to Jammu when the attack took place.
President Pranab Mukherjee condemned the attack strongly. Taking to Twitter, he said: Strongly condemn attack on Amarnath Yatris in J & K ; grieve the loss of innocent lives.
BJP President Amit Shah also took to Twitter to strongly condemn the attack, adding that he has asked “karyakartas in Kashmir to help pilgrims in need.” I have no words to express my deep pain on the killing of innocent pilgrims traveling to the holy shrine of Amarnath. It is a henious act.
Vice President Hamid Ansari
“I am shocked to learn of the dastardly terrorist attack on Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir which has resulted in loss of lives and injuries to pilgrims. Such wanton acts of violence can have no justification. The perpetrators and those who support and shelter them should be punished for this crime against humanity. We stand united in face of such attacks on the soul of India. I offer my sincere condolences to the families of the bereaved. I join the nation in praying for their eternal rest and for the early recovery of the injured.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned on Monday the killings of seven Amarnath pilgrims, saying he was “pained beyond words” and “India will never get bogged down by such cowardly attacks and the evil designs of hate”.
At least seven pilgrims from Gujarat were killed and several wounded when militants fired on their bus as well as a security vehicle in Anantnag district of Kashmir on Monday, police said.
Here's how political leaders reacted to the attack:
Arun Jaitley
“Terrorist attack on #AmarnathYatra is the most reprehensible act. My condolences to the bereaved families,” defence minister Arun Jaitley tweeted. “This incident should add to our determination to eliminate terrorism.”
Amit Shah
“I pray for the families of those who have lost their lives and wish speedy recovery to the injured,” BJP national president Amit Shah. “Cowards responsible for this barbaric act will not be spared.”
Sonia Gandhi
“The attack on the devotees of Lord Shiva is a crime against humanity. The entire nation is in shock,” Congress president Sonia Gandhi said in a statement.
Rahul Gandhi
“I share the pain & anguish of families who lost loved ones in the terror attack on innocent Amarnath Yatris today,” Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi tweeted.
Mehbooba Mufti
“It is a gruesome attack not only on unsuspecting guests but a brazen attack on Kashmir and Kashmiriyat and all of us shall have to rise against this scourge of violence,” Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said.
Dark Patch In Kashmir History: Naeem
J&K cabinet minister Naeem Akther called the Anantnag attack a dastardly act and expressed sympathies with the bereaved families.
He termed the attack a “dark patch in the history of Kashmir.”
Kashmiriyat Doesn't Permit To Kill People On Pilgrimage: Ghulam Nabi Azad
Senior Congress leader, Ghulam Nabi Azad, termed the attack as “unfortunate”, and said the militants “will have to pay through their nose.”
He also spoke to Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. “Our culture Kashmiriyat does not permit to kill people on pilgrimage… People born in Kashmir, even militants, will not commit such a crime,” Azad said.
“The government of India and the state government have miserably failed to maintain law and order and control militancy in the state,” he added.
Omar Abdullah
“The one thing we had all feared this year during the yatra. In spite of recent successes against militants & unprecedented force presence,” National Conference leader Omar Abdullah
Attack Barbaric: Tarigami
Senior CPI (M) leader M Y Tarigami termed the attack as “barbaric” and “a setback to ethos of Kashmir.”
“The attack is against the interest of people of Kashmir,: he said.
Unacceptable: Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also condemned the attack. “Strongly condemn the attack on Amarnath yatris and the police. Terrorism unacceptable anywhere in the world,” she tweeted.
Amnesty International:
Attack on Amarnath pilgrims against fundamental principles of humanity
