Uri terror strike draws widespread condemnation; Prez calls it ‘outrageous’

New Delhi: The Uri attack suspected to have been carried out by Pakistan-based terror outfit JeM on Sunday drew fierce condemnation across political spectrum with Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowing that those behind the “despicable and cowardly” act will not go unpunished.
The outrage sparked by the strike on an Army base in Uri in which 17 jawans were killed was also reflected in President President Pranab Mukherjee’s statement in which he declared that India will not be cowed down by such “outrageous” attacks and that it will thwart the evil designs of terrorists and their backers. Talking tough, BJP leader Ram Madhav asserted that days of strategic restraint are over and suggested that “for one tooth, the complete jaw” should be the policy after the terror attack.
“We strongly condemn the cowardly terror attack in Uri. I assure the nation that those behind this despicable attack will not go unpunished,” Modi tweeted.
Terming the attack as a “deplorable affront” on national conscience, Congress President Sonia Gandhi hoped that the perpetrators will be brought to book while her party colleague Capt Amarinder Singh said the “provocative” act by Pakistan must be taken up seriously and reciprocated in the same measure.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh pointed a finger directly at Pakistan, saying it is a “terrorist state” and should be isolated.
“Pakistan is a terrorist state and it should be identified and isolated as such,” Singh said in a strongly worded statement after a hour-long review meeting here, “There are definite and conclusive indications that the perpetrators of Uri attack were highly trained, heavily armed and specially equipped,” Singh said, vowing to identify those behind it.
Echoing the views of Modi and Singh, Union Minister Arun Jaitley asserted that the perepetrators of the Uri attack would be punished and that India will intensify diplomatic efforts to isolate Pakistan internationally. The CPI(M) Central Committee, now in session