Union Home Minister Amit Shah strongly condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal which claimed seven lives on Sunday. The terrorists targeted a tunnel construction site on the Srinagar-Leh national highway and a doctor and six labourers were killed.
The attack was the deadliest on civilians in Jammu and Kashmir since the June 9 incident in Reasi when nine pilgrims were killed after terrorists fired at a bus and it plunged into a valley.
Shah said the dastardly terror attack is a "despicable act of cowardice". "The dastardly terror attack on civilians in Gagangir, J&K, is a despicable act of cowardice. Those involved in this heinous act will not be spared and will face the harshest response from our security forces. At this moment of immense grief, I extend my sincerest condolences to the families of the deceased. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured," he wrote on X.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, whose party is in alliance with the ruling National Conference in the union territory, said the terror attack is an "unforgivable" crime.
"I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured. This audacity of terrorists will never be able to break the order of construction in Jammu and Kashmir and the faith of the people. The whole country is united in this fight against terrorism," Gandhi said.
The terrorists attacked the region on a day when over 2000 people gathered in the valley for Kashmir's first international marathon. The union territory got its first government after the abrogation of Article 370 as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took oath last week.