US Foreign Affairs Committee condemn Pulwama attack, Pak too issues statement

The US Foreign Affairs Committee has condemned the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir and asserted in crystal language endorsing Government of India’s stand that “countries must not allow terrorist groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed to operate with impunity”.
“I strongly condemn the terrorist attack in India’s Jammu and Kashmir state today and send my condolences to the families of the victims. Countries must not allow terrorist groups like Jaish-e-Mohammed to operate with impunity,” the chairman of the committee Eliot Engel, US Congressman representing parts of the Bronx and Westchester Counties in New York, said in a tweet.
In Delhi, Ken Juster, the US Ambassador here, in his tweet said on Thursday: “The U.S. Mission in India strongly condemns today’s terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. The United States stands alongside India in confronting terror and defeating it”.
The attack – seen as the worst ever terror attack on the forces – had taken place on Thursday as a convoy of 70 CRPF vehicles was making its way towards Srinagar, and was targeted by a car packed with over 100 kg explosives.
For obvious reasons, the attack left a scene of utter devastation across the Jammu-Srinagar highway.
In a strong worded statement on micro blogging site, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said – “The attack was carried out by Pakistan backed Jaish-e-Mohammed. A strong reply will be given and I assure the people of the country this. We will leave no stone unturned”.
He also said: “CRPF is a brave security force of India. Time and again, they have sacrificed for the nation. No amount of praise can define their effort to maintain peace in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The nation salutes their sacrifice and stands with the family of the martyrs”.
In a statement, MEA said: “This heinous and despicable act has been perpetrated by Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based and supported terrorist organisation proscribed by the United Nations and other countries”.
It also said – “This terror group is led by the international terrorist Masood Azhar, who has been given full freedom by Government of Pakistan to operate and expand his terror infrastructure in territories under the control of Pakistan”.
For its part, Pakistan Foreign ministry in a statement went onto claim- “We have always condemned acts of violence anywhere in the world”.
“We strongly reject any insinuation by elements in the Indian media and government that seek to link the attack to Pakistan without investigations,” it had said.