Political leaders cutting across party lines condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed one soldier and injured four others.
Terrorists ambushed an Indian Air Force (IAF) convoy near Shahsitar in Poonch district on Saturday, three weeks ahead of polling in Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency. Poonch is part of Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency which goes to polls in the sixth phase on May 25.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote in a post on X, “Deeply pained by the cowardly terror attack on the IAF vehicle in Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir. We strongly and unequivocally condemn this dastardly terror attack and join the nation in standing together against terrorism. Our deepest condolences to the family of the brave air warrior who made the supreme sacrifice.”
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that the “cowardly and terrorist attack on our Army convoy in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir is extremely shameful and sad. I pay my humble tribute to the martyred soldier and express my condolences to his bereaved family”.
“I hope that the soldiers injured in the attack recover as soon as possible,” he added.
Aam Adami Party (AAP) leader and Delhi Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said, “This is a very despicable, shameful and cowardly act of the terrorists.”
Meanwhile, security personnel on Sunday morning launched a massive manhunt following the attack. Additional forces of the Indian Army reached the Jarra Wali Gali (JWG) in Poonch on Saturday late at night.