Uri attack aimed at creating war-like situation in J-K: Mehbooba

Asserting that Jammu and Kashmir has always been the worst victim of India-Pakistan hostility over the last six decades, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday said that the fresh attack in Uri on the army base was aimed at triggering fresh violence in the state and create a war like situation.

Mehbooba, while paying tributes to the slain soldiers, extended condolences to their families and prayed for early recovery of those who are injured in the attack.

She added that the state has always been the worst victim of India-Pakistan hostility and its people have been paying a colossal price for the same for the past over six decades.

"Unfortunately, people in Jammu and Kashmir, who are already mired in an agonizing situation shall have to bear the maximum brunt of the fresh attempts being made to step up violence and trigger fresh bloodshed in the state," she said.

At least 17 soldiers were killed in the gun battle at the base, which is around 100 km from state capital Srinagar.

Combing operations are currently underway to ensure no untoward element still persists in the Army perimeters.

Meanwhile, Army Chief General Dalbir Singh has reached Srinagar where he will meet the injured soldiers.

President Pranab Mukherjee, while condemning the terror attack, said that India will not be cowed down by such attacks and will thwart the evil designs of terrorists and their backers.

"Strongly condemn terrorist attack on Army base in #Uri; tributes to brave soldiers who made supreme sacrifice," President Mukherjee said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the attack and assured the nation that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished.

"We salute all those martyred in Uri. Their service to the nation will always be remembered. My thoughts are with the bereaved families," Prime Minister Modi tweeted.

"Have spoken to HM & RM on the situation. RM will go to J&K himself to take stock of the situation," he said in a series of tweets.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyred soldiers and said those behind this terror incident would be brought to justice.

"Pakistan is a terrorist state and it should be identified and isolated as such," he said in a series of tweets.

The Home Minister also apprised Prime Minister Modi regarding the deliberations of the security review meeting held at his official residence this afternoon.

Singh has instructed Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and other senior Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) officials to closely monitor the situation in the valley.