After the deadly Uri attack in Jammu and Kashmir left 17 armed forces personnel dead, reactions and condolences have been pouring from across political parties. Many political leaders have also called for Pakistan to curb support to terror activities within its territory.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the "cowardly terror attack" and assured "the nation that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished".
We strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack in Uri. I assure the nation that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 18, 2016
We salute all those martyred in Uri. Their service to the nation will always be remembered. My thoughts are with the bereaved families.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 18, 2016
Have spoken to HM & RM on the situation. RM will go to J&K himself to take stock of the situation.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 18, 2016
In light of the Uri attack, Home Minister Rajnath Singh cancelled his trip to Russia and the US. In a series of tweets, he held Pakistan responsible for the attack.
"I am deeply disappointed with Pakistan's continued and direct support to terrorism and terrorist groups. Pakistan is a terrorist state and it should be identified and isolated as such," the minister tweeted.
The minister said there were "definite and conclusive indications that the perpetrators of (the) Uri attack were highly trained, heavily armed and specially equipped".
He said he was "deeply distressed" and prayed "for the speedy recovery of the injured". Helicopters flew the injured soldiers from Uri to the army's base hospital in Srinagar, about 70 km away.
Deeply distressed at the terror incident in Uri and the loss of 17 brave soldiers martyred. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 18, 2016
My heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyred soldiers. Those behind this terror incident would be brought to justice.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 18, 2016
Pakistan is a terrorist state and it should be identified and isolated as such.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 18, 2016
There are definite and conclusive indications that the perpetrators of Uri attack were highly trained, heavily armed and specially equipped.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 18, 2016
I am deeply disappointed with Pakistan’s continued and direct support to terrorism and terrorist groups.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 18, 2016
I have apprised the PM Shri @narendramodi regarding the deliberations of the security review meeting held at my residence this afternoon
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 18, 2016
Congress President Sonia Gandhi described the attack as "cowardly". She deplored "the affront on our national conscience" and hoped that "the forces behind (the attackers) will be severely dealt with and brought to book".
Other Congress leaders like Chidambaram and Sheila Dixit also offered condolesces.
My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of brave soldiers martyred in the dastardly #UriAttack
— Sheila Dikshit (@SheilaDikshit) September 18, 2016
(1) Shocked and distressed by terror attack in URI. Salute the jawans.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) September 18, 2016
(2) Government must mobilise all resources, manpower and material, to strengthen border defence to prevent infiltration of terrorists
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) September 18, 2016
Only way to tackle this is to send a strong message to Pakistan: Jitendra Singh pic.twitter.com/NaeiG229KL
— INC India (@INCIndia) September 18, 2016
Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal too denounced the attack and said that "India cannot be cowed down by such attacks".
"I strongly condemn the cowardly attack at Uri in which 17 soldiers lost their lives," the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader tweeted. "My heartfelt condolences to the families of those martyred in Uri."
Strongly condemn cowardly attack at Uri in which 17 soldiers lost lives. India cannot be cowed down by such attacks.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) September 18, 2016
Another AAP leader, Ashish Khetan, added: "We stand in solidarity with the government."
Former defence minister AK Antony told the media: "This incident comes close on the heels of what happened in Pathankot. At both these places militants managed to enter the military camps and this is a huge security lapse. The Kashmir issue is drifting and reaching dangerous propositions. All this is happening with the knowledge of Pakistan."
Goa Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar condemned the terror attack asked the central government to respond.
"What has happened is most unfortunate. It should not have happened and I condemn it. I think the government of India needs to be little more offensive in this regard... Government should see that adequate measures are adopted to see that such things don't happen in the future," Parsekar told reporters in Panaji.
The CPI (M) also came down hard on Pakistan. "The CPI (M) has been consistently maintaining that terrorism is not the solution to the Kashmir issue. Such acts only compound the situation further. Pakistan must stop aiding and abetting the extremist forces. Such activities are a big impediment to the peace process in the region. Despite the deployment of a large number of security personnel, the government has failed to stop the continuing infiltration of militants," it said in a statement reported by IANS.
So far, no terrorist group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Retired Lt. Gen. Raj Kadyan, said it was time to teach Pakistan a lesson. Calling the attack the "most serious in the last decade", he said: "The response required today is a tough one. The army should launch a strike at a place and time of its choosing. Retribution should be quick and severe."
US strongly condemns #UriAttack. Our thoughts are with families of soldiers who lost their lives: US ambassador to India Richard Verma
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 18, 2016
Deepest condolences to families of #UriAttack martyres who sacrificed their lives for motherland. Perpetrators will be made to pay for it.
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) September 18, 2016
Lucknow (UP): Special prayers being offered for soldiers who lost their life in #UriAttack. pic.twitter.com/F2bgTBYnCp
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) September 18, 2016
Deadly disheartened & shocked by cowardly militant attack. My sincere & heartfelt salutations to martyrs.Time to tk strong action #UriAttack
— Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) September 18, 2016
Condemn the #UriAttack. Pak must refrain from indulging in cross border terrorism, it should be taken up seriously: Sitaram Yechury
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 18, 2016