US envoy Richard Verma condemns Uri attack

U.S. Ambassador to India, Richard Verma on Sunday condemned the terror attack in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, where 17 soldiers of the Indian Army were killed and extended condolence to the family members of those killed.

"We strongly condemn the terror attack in Uri, J&K. Our thoughts are with the families of the brave soldiers who lost their lives #UriAttack," tweeted Verma.

The Army in a statement said that a group of heavily armed terrorists targeted the rear administrative base of a unit at Uri earlier today, and in the counter action, four terrorists have been eliminated and combing operations are in progress.

Army Chief General Dalbir Singh has reached the Valley to take stock of the situation.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has also postponed his forthcoming visits to the United States and Russia in the wake of terrorist attack.

He has instructed Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi and other senior officers in the Ministry of Home Affairs to closely monitor the situation in the Valley.

Rajnath, who chaired a high-level meeting at his residence over the terror attack, stated that he has apprised Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the deliberations of the security review meeting this afternoon.

Branding Pakistan as a 'terrorist state' and stating that it should be identified and isolated as such, the Home Minister added that there are definite and conclusive indications that the perpetrators of Uri attack were highly trained, heavily armed and specially equipped.