Sonia, Rahul support govt, say 'strong message sent to Pak'

In an official statement ahead of the all-party meeting here, Congress President Sonia Gandhi said: "The party stands with the Government's in its actions today to protect our county's security and deal with the menace of terrorism from across the border."

She said, "This is a strong message that conveys our county's resolve to prevent further infiltration and attacks on our security forces and our people."

On behalf of the party, she congratulated the armed forces and offered support to the government in it's battle against terrorism.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi also saluted the soldiers for the operation on Thursday.

"All of us stand firmly united against terrorism and those who support and sponsor it," Rahul said in a statement.

"The Congress Party and I salute the Indian Army and our jawans for acting valiantly to defend our country & our people. Jai Hind," he said.

The statements came even before the all-party meeting, convened by the Centre to consult on the surgical strike by Indian army, commenced.

Amid mass anger in India over the Uri attack in Kashmir, India on Wednesday past midnight carried out surgical strikes crossing the Line of Control (LoC) into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, targeting terrorist launchpads working from within the neighbouring country, the army said.

The strikes were launched by the Indian Army at the KG sector of Poonch district. Two Pakistani soldiers were reportedly killed. Pakistan denied that there were surgical attacks calling India's claims as "fabrication of truth" but Pak PM Nawak Sharif warned India against any aggression.