India sounds red alert in J&K, US calls yatra attack reprehensible
A team of Union ministers including Jitendra Singh and Hansraj Ahir takes stock of law and order in Valley, flashes highest alert
Even as India sounded the “highest alert” across Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of the killing of seven Amarnath pilgrims by militants, the Trump administration has expressed concern over the “reprehensible” terrorist attack on Amarnath pilgrims in Kashmir that killed seven persons.
Several US lawmakers also condemned the dastardly act in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Monday night when militants fired at a bus carrying pilgrims, killing seven and injuring 19 others.
”We consider it to have been a terrorist attack in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in which seven religious pilgrims were killed. That’s of great concern to us,” the State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters at a news conference.
"These were civilians, they were killed as they were exercising their right to worship and that is, in large part, what makes this so reprehensible. That is a great concern to us and our thoughts and prayers go out to those people and to their families as well. Our prayers are with the victims and those who were affected," she said.
"My thoughts and prayers to all of the Amarnath Yatra terror attack victims and their families. The attack is reprehensible and must be condemned," said Congressman Will Hurd. Other Congress members also condemned the attack.
In the meantime, a team of Indian ministerial team comprising Minister of State in the PMO Jitendra Singh and Minister of State for Home Affairs Hansraj Ahir visited Kashmir and held extensive discussions with the top brass of the security establishment, Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on the prevailing situation.
“Considering the unfortunate loss of life and injuries suffered by the yatris (pilgrims) in the recent terror attack, the entire security apparatus has been put on the highest alert by the ministers,” a Union home ministry statement said.