PM condemns Srinagar attack, says 'its most reprehensible and cowardly act'

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Tuesday condemned the attack on army men in Srinagar, and said that this is the most reprehensible and cowardly act on part of the terrorist groups.

"Its most unfortunate and this should not I think lead us or our opponents to conclude that we will succumb to the terrorists efforts to destabilise Jammu and Kashmir... the economy and country. And I can only say that this is most reprehensible and cowardly act on part of the terrorist groups," he told the media here.

Dr. Singh further said the government is ready to talk to all those who shun violence.

"I have always said that those who shun violence, we are ready to talk to them," he said, when asked whether there is any proposal of resuming the dialogue process with the separatists in Kashmir.

Dr. Singh and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi earlier in the day visited the Army Base Hospital at Badamibagh cantonment here to inquire about the condition of jawans injured in the militant attack at Hyderpora by-pass.

The Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi, who visited the Base Hospital in the cantonment area immediately after they arrived here from Kishtwar in Jammu region, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured jawans.

The General Officer Commanding of Srinagar-based 15 corps, Lt. Gen. Gurmeet Singh, briefed the two leaders about the condition of the injured jawans.

Dr. Singh earlier in the day emphasized that India stands firmly united against terrorism.

"India firmly united against terrorism. We won't let them (militants) succeed in their nefarious designs," Dr. Singh said shortly after his arrival in Kishtwar.

Dr. Singh also paid tributes to the army men killed in yesterday's terror attack.

Eight soldiers were martyred and several others were hurt when Hizbul Mujahideen militants attacked an army convoy yesterday with hand grenades and automatic weapons.