We stand shoulder to shoulder with families of brave soldiers: Priyanka on Pulwama attack

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, newly appointed Congress general secretary for Uttar Pradesh east, on Thursday, cancelled her first press conference in the wake of the unfortunate terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district. "I do not think it is appropriate to talk politics right now," said Priyanka. The press conference, Priyanka’s first after formal entry into politics, was meant to wrap up her four-day visit to the state.

She expressed grief over the deaths of 42 CRPF personnel in a terror attack in Kashmir and observed a two-minute silence.

“This conference was called for political discussions. But when our jawans have been killed in a terror attack in Pulwama, I feel it would not be right if we have political discussions at this time," she told reporters at the press conference venue.

 “I can very well understand the pain and grief of losing a loved one in the family. I want to say that not only the Congress party, but the entire country is standing shoulder to shoulder with the families of our brave soldiers. They should have faith... we are standing by them,” she added.

40 CRPF personnel were killed when a terrorist rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the bus they were travelling in. Reports suggest that there were nearly 70 vehicles in the convoy in which around 2500 personnel were traveling. "Senior officers at the spot, the investigation is underway. Injured being taken care of. There were 2500 personnel in the convoy," CRPF DG RR Bhatnagar said.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly condemned the ‘dastardly’ attack on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy at Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district saying the sacrifices of the brave soldiers shall not go in vain.

“Attack on CRPF personnel in Pulwama is despicable. I strongly condemn this dastardly attack. The sacrifices of our brave security personnel shall not go in vain. The entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the families of the brave martyrs. May the injured recover quickly,” PM Modi tweeted.