US, Russia, France condemn attack

Three of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) – United States, Russia and France – joined New Delhi in condemning the terrorist attack at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday.

Most of India's neighbours in South Asia – Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan – too condemned the terror attack, which killed at least 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel.

“The US mission in India strongly condemns the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims,” Kenneth Juster, American Ambassador to India, said in a post on Twitter. “The United States stands alongside India in confronting terror and defeating it.”

Jean-Yves Le Drian, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, condemned the “despicable attack” against India. “France has always stood and will continue to stand alongside India in the fight against terrorism in all its forms,” he said in a statement. “I call on each state to take effective measures to combat the terrorist networks and their funding channels and to prevent the cross-border movement of terrorist groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, which has claimed responsibility for this attack,” added the French Foreign Minister.

“@RusEmbIndia condemns in the strongest terms the horrific terrorist attack in #Kashmir’s #Pulwama district, which claimed precious lives of more than 40 CRPF personnel and left numerous people injured,” tweeted Embassy of Russia in India.

“Bangladesh remains steadfast in its commitment against terrorism of all forms and manifestation and maintain a zero tolerance policy against any kind of terrorist activities,” Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh stated in a message to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “Bangladesh would continue to cooperate with international community including India to eradicate the menace of terrorism,” she wrote to Modi.

“Extremely saddened about dastardly terror attack killing 40 CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) Jawans in Balawanapur, South Kashmir (J&K State). The world must condemn such brutal terrorist attacks and take effective action to prevent such incidents in future,” Maithripala Sirisena, President of Sri Lanka, tweeted.