Expressing solidarity with the Government of India and the security forces, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday condemned the cowardly attack which left at least 44 CRPF personnel dead in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district.

A suicide bomber had rammed an SUV carrying 350 kg of explosives into a bus carrying the CRPF troopers in the deadliest attack in decades on security forces in Jammu and Kashmir. Nearly 45 jawans were seriously injured in the suicide attack.

Addressing a press conference, Rahul Gandhi said the type of violence unleashed against the soldiers was “disgusting”

“This is a terrible tragedy. This type of violence done against our security forces is absolutely disgusting. The aim of terrorism is to divide this country and we are not going to be divided,” the Congress president said.

Refusing to comment on any other issue, Rahul Gandhi said this was a time of mourning, sadness and respect adding that the Congress is fully supporting the Government and the security forces.

Slamming the perpetrators of the attack, Gandhi said those behind the heinous crime will not be spared.

The Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) has claimed responsibility for the suicide attack and released a video clip of the suicide bomber, a ‘commander’ identified as Adil Ahmad Dar.

Former prime minister Manmohan Singh who was also beside Rahul Gandhi said, “Today is the day of mourning. Our country has lost close to 40 armed forces jawans and our foremost duty is to convey to their families that we are with them. We shall never compromise with the terrorist forces”.

Earlier, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi condemned the barbarous attack on the CRPF convoy.

“Our brave CRPF personnel died serving the nation selflessly, at the hands of cowardly terrorists, and their sacrifice will not be forgotten,” she said in a statement.

“… I sincerely hope that those responsible for this dastardly terror attack will be brought to justice and made to pay for this appalling act, that goes against every tenet of humanity,” she added.

In a major announcement earlier in the day, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said India has taken the decision to withdraw the ‘most favoured nation’ status granted to Pakistan and initiate steps to isolate the neighbouring country from the international community.