Amarnath terror attack a cowardly act: Ramnath Kovind

Condemning the tragic attack on the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag, National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) presidential candidate Ramnath Kovind on Tuesday called it a 'cowardly act'.

Meanwhile, the Opposition's presidential nominee, Meira Kumar expressed grief over the loss of the innocent lives.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family members and those injured," Kumar tweeted.

The death toll in the attack on the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims at Anantnag has risen to seven.

The police have also confirmed that as many as 15 people have been injured.

A group of terrorists had earlier opened fire at a bus carrying the pilgrims in the Anantnag district.

The incident occurred at 8.20 p.m. yesterday when the bus, carrying 17 pilgrims from Baltal to Mir Bazar, became victim to the terrorist attack.

Reportedly, the bus was neither a part of a convoy nor registered with the shrine board.

The 90th and 40th battalion of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been rushed to the spot.

National Conference leader Omar Abdullah took to Twitter to condemn the incident.

"The attack cannot be condemned strongly enough," Omar wrote on Twitter.

"Very sad news. The attack cannot be condemned strongly enough. My sympathies to the families & prayers for the injured."

"The one thing we had all feared this year during the yatra. In spite of recent successes against militants & unprecedented force presence," he added.