Jhajjar (Haryana) [India], April 25 (ANI): Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda on Friday termed terror attack in Pahalgam 'cruel' and said that Indian Army will give a befitting reply to the perpetrators.

Speaking to media, Hooda said, 'What happened in Pahalgam is cruel...The entire nation is united and the Indian Army is very capable and we will give a befitting reply...I am hopeful that the government will take strict action.'

He also prayed for the victims of Pahalgam terrorist attack. 'We pay tribute to those who sacrificed their lives and pray to God to give strength to their families to face this sorrow.'

Earlier today, Union Minister Piyush Goyal extended condolences to the victims of the terror attack and said the Central government will identify, trace and punish the terrorists along with their backers.

Recalling the remarks of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Goyal said, 'I remember Atal Bihari Vajpayee said, cross-border and state-sponsored terrorism is a menace to civilised society. This is the moment when the entire country comes together and expresses the anger and collective commitment of the nation to give a fitting response to those responsible for this.'

Reminding people of the resolve taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the terror attacks, Goyal said, 'We will identify, trace and punish the terrorists and their backers. This is the resolve of every Indian... We faced the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks and came back stronger. We gave a befitting reply to Pulwama attacks.'

The attack in Pahalgam occurred on Tuesday at Baisaran meadow, where terrorists targeted tourists, killing 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, and leaving several others injured. It was one of the deadliest attacks in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike, which claimed the lives of 40 CRPF jawans.

Following the attack, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi reached Srinagar on Friday and took stock of the situation in the valley.

On Thursday, the Central government convened an all-party meeting to deliberate on the security situation and formulate a collective response to the attack. After attending the all-party meeting convened by the central government, Rahul Gandhi said, 'Everyone condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. The opposition has given full support to the government in taking any action.'

The central government has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan for its support of cross-border terrorism.

In the Cabinet Committee on Security meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah, Central government has decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism and has closed the integrated Attari Check Post.

Central government has also revoked all categories of visas issued to Pakistani citizens, except long-term visas, diplomatic and official visas, with immediate effect from April 27.(ANI)