RANCHI/JAMSHEDPUR: Muslim community members in the state on Friday condemned the terrorist attack on a CRPF convoy in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, killing over 40 jawans , including one from Jharkhand, on Thursday.

In Ranchi, the community members wear black badges during the Friday namaaz to show solidarity with families of the slain jawans. After the namaaz, they marched to Karbala Chowk and raised anti-Pakistan slogans. Talking to TOI, Khurshid Hasan Rumi, general secretary of the Muslim Majlis Mushawarat said: “It is a sad day for the entire nation. A strong message has to be sent to the people responsible for the attack and since Pakistan’s role in the attack is coming to the fore, it is natural that anti-Pakistan slogans will be made. It is tough time for every single citizen of the country when we lose brave-hearts to a terrorist attack.”

Several political, student and social organisations also took the streets of the capital to condemn the attack and show support to families of the martyrs. Anger against Pakistan and its terror tactics were evident among the people as they came out united, seeking an end to terrorism.

“It is high time that we stop Pakistan from getting away after resorting to such tactics. It has now become a do-or-die situation for the nation,” said Akash Kumar, a student of Ranchi University who took part in a protest at Albert Ekka Chowk on Friday afternoon.

BJP workers also burnt effigies of Pakistani leaders in protest against the attack. Traffic at Albert Ekka Chowk came to a standstill late in the afternoon as several groups organising protest marches came together. Several onlookers and commuters also joined the protests.

Advocates of the District Bar Association postponed the day’s proceedings as a mark of respect for the martyrs and took out a candle march. Schools and colleges across Ranchi also held prayer meetings for the slain personnel.

“The inauguration of the students’ union office of Ranchi University was postponed after the terrorist attack,” said Neha Mardi, president of the RU Students’ Union.

In Jamshedpur , the Muslim community members offered special prayers at ll the 400 mosques of the city and expressed heartfelt condolence to the families of the slain jawans.

After the prayers, Izhar Ahmed, the imam of Bistupur Jama Masjid, said, “The terror attack on the jawans is against humanity and it deserves to be condemned in strong words.” Imams at other mosques also prayed for better sense to prevail so that such senseless killings are stopped.

Md. Wakiluddin, who offered prayers at the Bistupur Jama Masjid, said, “The kind of heinous act of terrorism that we experienced in Pulwama cannot be justified on any ground.”

The imam of Masjid-e-Ali in Haldipokhar, Pursudih, said, “We all should join hands to pray for the well-being of the bereaved families and in condemning the heinous act of terrorism against humanity.”

In Azadnagar locality of Mango, Muslims burnt an effigy of Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and held his country responsible for the attack.

