US ambassador, Hindu-American body condemn attack on Amarnath pilgrims

New Delhi/Washington: The US on Tuesday deplored the attack on Amarnath pilgrims and said it condemned all acts of terrorism. It also extended its "deepest" condolences to the families and "all those affected".

"We deplore the attack on #Amarnath pilgrims & condemn all acts of terrorism. Deepest condolences to the families & all those affected," the US ambassador's official Twitter post said.

The US has appointed Kenneth I Juster as its ambassador to India but he is yet to take office.

Read: Amarnath terror attack: Mehbooba summons cabinet for emergency meet

Meanwhile, condemning the terror attack on Amarnath pilgrims in Kashmir, a top Hindu-American body in the US has urged the Trump admin to clampdown on Pakistan for supporting terrorist groups carrying out attacks in India.

"This was an unconscionable attack on innocent pilgrims exercising their most fundamental and basic rights to freedom of religion," said Hindu American Foundation (HAF) board member Rajiv Pandit.

"We urge the Trump Administration to designate Hizbul Mujahideen as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation and clampdown on Pakistan for its continued support of Hizbul and other terrorist groups carrying out attacks in India," said Pandit.

HAF senior director Samir Kalra said Hindu pilgrims are at an "extreme risk of violence" in Kashmir.

Read: Fresh batch of Amarnath pilgrims leave for shrine post terror attack

"The Jammu and Kashmir government and security forces must take all necessary precautions to protect pilgrims and ensure that the Amarnath Yatra continues safely and without further incident," Kalra said.

Indian-American Congressman from Illinois, Raja Krishnamoorthi also condemned the terror attack. He said, "My thoughts and prayers are with the victims in Amarnath and their families. Terrorism has no place in our world."

Seven Amarnath pilgrims were killed and 19 injured in a terrorist attack in south Kashmir's Anantnag district last night.

The bus, bearing a Gujarat registration number, was on its way from Baltal to Jammu when the attack took place.

Read: Amarnath yatra terror attack: Injured pilgrims to be airlifted to Delhi

The bus was not part of the Amarnath yatra convoy and was plying after the 7 pm deadline imposed by the security officials on the movement of the yatra vehicles.

Security has been beefed up along all routes leading to the Pahalgam and Baltal base camps in Anantnag and Ganderbal districts respectively.