J&K Guv, political parties condemn grenade attack at Jammu bus stand

Mainstream political parties in Jammu and Kashmir Thursday condemned the grenade attack at a crowded bus stand here that left a teenager dead and 32 others injured, with the BJP pledging to wipe out terrorism and the Congress expressing concern over security preparedness.

Condemning the attack, Governor Satya Pal Malik directed the administration to provide best medical assistance to the injured.

He asked all agencies to ensure that those responsible for the attack are brought to justice. The governor announced an ex-gratia of Rs five lakh to the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 20,000 each to those injured, his spokesperson said.

The J&K Congress unit said the lapses that led to the attack should be looked into as it showed the "total failure" of the Centre and the state administration in dealing with security situation.

In a statement, J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina called the attack an "utter cowardice act" and pledged to wipe out terrorists and their supporters from the state.

He said unnerved by the crackdown on separatists and terrorists, Pakistan and its sponsored terrorists are trying to show their existence by carrying out these ghastly acts.

"Pakistan's nefarious designs have failed till now and it will be taught lesson for all misdeeds," he said adding Pakistan and its sponsored terrorists have tried to vitiate the atmosphere of Jammu and "this is not acceptable to us."