- Militants attacked Army headquarters in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir around 5:30 am
- 17 Army personnel killed and 30 injured in the attack
- Heavy casualties occurred because tents and temporary shelters with troops caught fire
- 4 terrorists gunned down by the Army and combing operations still on
- The weapons uncovered from the slain terrorists had Pakistani markings
- DGMO reported Jaish-e-Mohammad’s role in the attack
- HM Rajnath Singh called Pakistan a terrorist state, and expressed disappointment with their “constant support to terrorism”
- PM Narendra Modi said those behind the “despicable attack will not go unpunished”
France Remains at India’s Side
France has condemned the “terrible terrorist” attack and said Paris remains on New Delhi’s side in the fight against terrorism.
France also said it “recalls the importance it attaches to bringing calm and the peaceful settlement of disputes in the region of Kashmir”.
In a statement, the French Foreign Ministry spokesperson said:
France most firmly condemns the terrible terrorist attack perpetrated on 18 September against an Indian army camp in the region of Kashmir. It conveys its condolences to the families of the 17 Indian soldiers killed in this attack. France remains at India’s side in the combat against terrorism. It calls on every State to fight effectively against terrorist groups operating on their territory or from their territory against other countries.
US Condemns Attack
The US on Sunday strongly condemned the dastardly terror attack asserting that it was “committed” with India to “combat terrorism”.
The US Ambassador to India, Richard Verma took to Twitter to express his condolences.
The US State Department also issued a statement in Washington.
“The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack on an Indian army base in Kashmir during the early morning of 18 September. We extend our condolences to the victims and their families. The United States is committed to our strong partnership with the Indian government to combat terrorism,” John Kirby, Assistant Secretary and State Department spokesperson said in the statement released by the US embassy in New Delhi.
‘One Particular Country Behind Cross-Border Terrorism’: Hamid Ansari
Vice President Hamid Ansari on Sunday said that the attack was the result of “cross-border terrorism by one particular country in our region.”
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those whose loved ones have been killed,” Ansari said at the 17th NAM Summit
Attack Shows Pak’s Desire to Use Poison, Not Dialogue: MJ Akbar
MJ Akbar, BJP MP and Minister of State for External Affairs, reacted to the attack saying:
We’ll protest in strongest terms in writing against Pakistan’s mischievous use of terrorism. Their inability to support the idea of working group is further evidence that they have always sponsored terrorism. The attack highlights its desire to use poison instead of dialogue.
He further commented that the neighbouring country has “reduced itself to ‘pariah status’ in the international community because of its hypocrisy and terror sponsorship”.
Speaking to reporters after Pakistan Prime Minister’s Advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz raised the Kashmir issue at the 17th Non-Aligned Movement Summit, Akbar slammed Pakistan for giving “sanctuary and support, both domestic and international to terrorists” and investing in the evil menace of terrorism.