U.S Condemns Terror Attacks In Kashmir; No Change In Kashmir Policy

WASHINGTON: The U.S condemned the terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's poll rally, and said it remains firm on its "commitment" to work with India to defeat terrorism in all forms.

"The United States strongly condemns terrorist attacks in Kashmir, which claimed the lives of innocent civilians, military, and police personnel," a senior State Department official said.

13 people were killed in a series of terror attacks in Kashmir. In addition to a civilian, nine soldiers and three policemen were killed, marking the heaviest losses for security forces in the state in more than six years.

"The United States remains firmly committed to working in close partnership with India to defeat terrorism in all its forms," the State Department said in a statement issued on Friday evening.

"Our hearts go out to the families of those affected by this deplorable attack," it said.

Earlier in the day, the State Department had expressed its concern about any violence in Kashmir adding that its policies on it have not changed.

"We are concerned about any violence in Kashmir. Our policy on Kashmir hasn't changed. We still believe that the pace and the scope and character of India and Pakistan's dialogue on Kashmir is for those two countries to determine," State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf said.

"Our embassies in both places have raised these types of incidents with their respective host governments and certainly encouraged both to continue working together on the issue," she said.

Friday's attacks - the gravest was on an Army camp in the border town of Uri - were condemned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as "desperate attempts to derail the atmosphere of hope and goodwill as seen by increased voter turnout."

One of the attacks was at Srinagar, where the PM is due to campaig on Monday. Two terrorists were killed after they opened fire on a police post in the heart of the city.

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