International community condemns attack on Amarnath pilgrims

New Delhi: Condemnation against the Amarnath attack poured in from the international community today, with the US and Iran deploring the strike and Germany, France and Bangladesh expressing their solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism and extremism.

While Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wrote to her Indian counterpart Narendra Modi, condemning the "heinous" terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims and reaffirming her country's support to India at this "difficult hour", Nepal's foreign affairs ministry, in a release, also strongly denounced the terrorist attack and expressed its condolences. "We deplore the attack on #Amarnath pilgrims & condemn all acts of terrorism. Deepest condolences to the families & all those affected," the US ambassador's official Twitter handle posted.

The US has appointed Kenneth I Juster as its ambassador to India, but he is yet to take office. France sent out a message of solidarity. "France assures the people and authorities of India of its solidarity in face of terrorism. During their meeting in Paris on 3rd June this year, the French President and Modi, had declared counter- terrorism to be a priority of our strategic partnership," said the spokesperson of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.

German Ambassador Martin Ney in his message said he strongly condemned the terrorist attack on behalf of his government. He also conveyed deepest condolences to the families of the victims. "Germany resolutely stands by India in the fight against terrorism and extremism," Ney said. "As the G20 leaders just reaffirmed in Hamburg, we are resolved to tackle terrorism as a common challenge to the global community," he noted.

Hasina reiterated Bangladesh's "zero tolerance" policy against terrorism and vowed to continue to work together with India to eradicate the menace, a Bangladesh embassy release said here. The Embassy of Iran said in a release that it "condemns in the strongest possible words the Monday night terror attack on the Amarnath pilgrims."

The embassy also extended condolences to the Indian government and families of victims. Seven Amarnath pilgrims were killed and 19 injured when their bus came under heavy gunfire from terrorists in south Kashmir's Anantnag district last night. The bus, bearing a Gujarat registration number, was on its way from Baltal to Jammu when the attack took place.