Srinagar: Various political parties in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday expressed grief over the killing of five soldiers in a blast in Rajouri district, saying their sacrifice for the nation will not be forgotten.
Five Army personnel were killed and a major injured in an explosion triggered by terrorists in the thickly forested Kandi area in Rajouri.
National Conference vice-president Omar Abdullah said terrorism deserves “unreserved condemnation”.
“Tragic news from Rajouri where 5 army personnel have laid down their lives in the line of duty. Terror is a scourge that has blighted numerous lives over the decades in J&K & deserves unreserved condemnation. I send my sincere condolences to the families of those we lost today,” the former chief minister said on Twitter.
In his condemnation, NC president Dr. Farooq Abdullah said, “Terrible news of a terror attack in Rajouri that claimed the lives of five army jawans in the line of duty. I unequivocally condemn this heinous attack and send my condolences to the loved ones of those killed today.”
Peoples Conference president, Sajad Lone also condemned the attack.
“We strongly condemn the act of terror in Rajouri. These are senseless acts of violence perpetuated by lunatics. And they will inshallah rot in hell,” Lone tweeted.
Peoples Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti termed the loss of lives in the blast “terrible”.
“Terrible news coming in. My deepest condolences to the families of those who died in the line of duty,” she said in a tweet.
Apni Party chief Altaf Bukhari said the sacrifice of the soldiers for the safety of the nation will never be forgotten.
“Deeply saddened by the tragic news from Rajouri. My thoughts are with the families of the brave soldiers who lost their lives in the ongoing encounter. Their sacrifice for the safety of our nation will never be forgotten,” he tweeted.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leaders also paid tributes to the soldiers killed in a blast.
Five soldiers made the supreme sacrifice for the country while fighting terrorists in Rajouri, Kharge said.
“We pay our heartfelt tributes to the brave soldiers and express our deepest condolences to the bereaved families. We will never allow the nefarious designs of terrorism to succeed,” he said in a tweet in Hindi.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the blast.
“The news of martyrdom of our five soldiers in an encounter with terrorists in Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir is very sad. At this difficult time, I convey my deepest condolences to their bereaved families. My humble tributes to all the martyrs,” he tweeted in Hindi.
Mobile internet facilities in Rajouri have been suspended.
Former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda also paid tributes to the “brave sons of the country”.
“The country will always remember this sacrifice of its martyrs. My deepest condolences to the families of the martyrs. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured soldiers,” he said.
