Anguished Sonia says no compromise on national security, deal with terrorism firmly

An anguished Congress party president Sonia Gandhi said on Monday that political parties must be allowed time to find "durable and enduring ways" to fulfill the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement issued with regard to the more than 20 lives lost in the state owing to clashes between protestors and security forces following the death of militant Burhan Wani in an encounter in the Tral region last week, Gandhi said, "It is a matter of great anguish that so many innocent lives have been lost these past days in parts of the Kashmir Valley. There can be no compromise on matters relating to national security. Terrorism must be dealt with firmly and forcefully."

The statement further quoted her, as saying, "Even so,, the death of so many of our brethren is very painful. The political process has made many gains in J&K over the last two decades particularly and these must not get lost.