Cowardly act, we strongly condemn it

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said a response is expected from the Modi govt to the attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama in which 30 CRPF personnel were killed. In Nagpur, Bhagwat said, "It is a cowardly act, we strongly condemn it. We expect action in response to this incident." "We have tolerated a lot and are still doing so, as seen from today's incident," he said.

"They will get a reply (to the attack)," Bhagwat said.

"Pained beyond words by the terror attack on our soldiers in Pulwama (J&K). It is an act of cowardice. My deepest condolences are with the families of our soldiers who have lost their lives. Our forces will remain firm against such acts of terror and defeat them," BJP president Amit Shah said in a tweet.

NCP chief Sharad Pawar also condemned the attack and extended condolences to their families. "The cowardly attack on a convoy of CRPF and killing of Jawans in Awantipora, Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir is a condemnable act. My condolences to the families of the martyrs who have sacrificed their lives for India," Pawar tweeted.

"This is too painful and disturbing. We pay our respects. But such attacks should not happen. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said such attacks won't happen again," Shiv Sena spokesperson Manisha Kayande said. The armed forces should be given a free hand to give a befitting reply to Pakistan, she said. "The language of teaching a lesson to Pakistan was also used (by the BJP-led Union government) .... But the efforts are falling short. Intelligence failure is obvious," Kayande added.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the "cowardly attack". "Deeply pained. Entire Nation stands with the #CRPF family. We salute the supreme sacrifice for the Nation and pray for speedy recovery of the injured ones!" he tweeted.

Union minister Jitendra Singh asked whether the incident would be an eyeopener for Kashmir-centric politicians, who are "always apologetic" on such occasions. He termed the dastardly attack on CRPF personnel as a desperate act by terrorists on the run.

"Dastardly attack on CRPF personnel is a desperate act by terrorists on the run. While the entire nation solidarily stands with the Indian security forces, will this also be an eye opener for Kashmir-centric politicians who are always apologetic on such occasions," the minister tweeted. Singh, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, is a Lok Sabha Member from Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur constituency.