US lawmakers condemn terror attack in J-K's Pulwama

Top American lawmakers on Thursday rallied behind India in the immediate aftermath of the gruesome terrorist attack by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district and said the Washington stands alongside New Delhi in "confronting terror and defeating it". In one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's three decades of militancy, a Jaish suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a CRPF bus in Pulwama district, killing at least 39 personnel and leaving many critically wounded.

"I condemn today's terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir. I send my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. The United States stands alongside India in confronting terror and defeating it," Senator Jack Reed said in a tweet. Another Senator Kevin Thomas tweeted, "I strongly condemn this cowardly terrorist attack which targeted Indian soldiers in Kashmir. My thoughts and prayers to the families of the soldiers."

More than 2,500 Central Reserve Police Force personnel, many of them returning from leave to rejoin duty in the Valley, were travelling in the convoy of 78 vehicles when they were ambushed on the Srinagar-Jammu highway at Latoomode in Awantipora in south Kashmir around 3.15 pm. "Tragic news out of Jammu & Kashmir, India today where a brutal terrorist attack took innocent lives. I strongly condemn this cowardly act and send my deepest condolences to the loved ones of the Kashmir Terror Attack victims," Congressman Pete Olson said in a tweet.

"Praying for all who were impacted by the deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir today, as we stand in solidarity with India against such violent acts of terrorism across the globe," Congressman John Ratcliffe said. Condemning the "horrible" terrorist attack, Congressman Will Hurd said, "I spent part of my CIA career in India working to stop terrorist organisations and will continue to do so in Congress in solidarity with our allies across the globe."

With this terrorist attack, JeM is back in business, said Paul Staniland, associate professor of political science at the University of Chicago. "Combined with the sniper attacks last fall, shows increasing escalation in militant tactics. Jaish being seriously back in the game is extremely worrisome," he said. Pakistan-based JeM terror group has claimed responsibility for the attack that took place about 20 km from Srinagar.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)