President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday condemned the "cowardly" ambush on a patrolling party in Machedi area of Jammu and Kashmir that killed five personnel of the Indian Army. She also called for "firm counter measures" as she expressed her sympathies with the breaves families.
In a post on X, the President said: " "The attack on a convoy of Army personnel in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir by terrorists is a cowardly act that deserves condemnation and firm counter-measures. My sympathies are with the families of the bravehearts who laid down their lives in this ongoing war against terror in its all forms. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured."
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh alo expressed his anguish on the loss of lives of five Indian Army personnel and said that counter-terrorist operations were underway.
"I am deeply anguished at the loss of five of our brave Indian Army Soldiers in a terrorist attack in Badnota, Kathua (J&K)," Singh said in a post on X.
"My deepest condolences to the bereaved families, the Nation stands firm with them in this difficult time. The Counter Terrorist operations are underway, and our soldiers are determined to usher in peace and order in the region," he said.
"I pray for a speedy recovery to those who sustained injuries in this dastardly terror attack," the Union minister added.
A Junior Commissioned Officer was among the five killed in the terror attack, the fifth in the Jammu region in a month. Kashmir Tigers, a shadow outfit of the banned Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane said that the sacrifice of the soldiers will not go unavenged and "India will defeat the evil forces behind the attack". ""Their selfless service to the nation will always be remembered," he said.
Political reactions across the spectrum also poured in expressing grief over the loss of lives.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the attack and demanded for justice.
"The terrorist attack in Jammu is condemnable. My condolences to the families of the four soldiers who were killed. Everything must be done to bring the terrorists to justice," he said in a post on X.
Jammu Kashmir National Conference leader Omar Abdullah unequivocally condemned the attack and sent condolences to the bereaved families.
"Terrible news from Kathua. It’s a very bad day when you lose four brave army personnel in the line of duty. I condemn the attack unequivocally and send my heartfelt condolences to the families. I hope the injured make a swift & complete recovery," the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said in a post on X.
The People's Democratic Party leader Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the attack and made a veiled attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre over the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.
"Condemn the terror attack in Kathua that claimed the lives of four soldiers. Tragic & equally shocking that they are losing their lives in the line of duty in places where one found little to no trace of militancy before 2019. Tells you all there is to know about the current security situation in J&K. Deepest condolences to their families," she said.