india

Updated: Jul 12, 2017 08:42 IST

The terror attack that killed seven Amarnath pilgrims in Kashmir is reprehensible, the Trump Administration has said as several lawmakers joined in to condemn the dastardly act.

Seven Amarnath pilgrims were killed and 19 others were injured in a terrorist attack in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Monday night.

The bus, bearing Gujarat registration number, was on way from Baltal to Jammu when the attack took place.

“We consider it to have been a terrorist attack in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in which seven religious pilgrims were killed. That’s of great concern to us,” the State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert told reporters at a news conference.

“These were civilians, they were killed as they were exercising their right to worship and that is, in large part, what makes this so reprehensible. That is a great concern to us and our thoughts and prayers go out to those people and to their families as well. Our prayers are with the victims and those who were affected,” she said.

Meanwhile several US lawmakers condemned the terrorist attack.

My thoughts & prayers to all of the #AmarnathYatraTerrorAttack victims & their families. The attack is reprehensible & must be condemned. — Rep. Will Hurd (@HurdOnTheHill) July 11, 2017

“The terrorist attack on Amarnath Pilgrims is outrageous,” said Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee.

The terrorist attack on #AmarnathPilgrims is outrageous. Religion is a fundamental right and human right #AmarnathYatra #ReligiousFreedom — Sheila Jackson Lee (@JacksonLeeTX18) July 11, 2017

Congressman John Ratcliffe in his tweet, sent his prayers to the families of those killed in the “horrific terrorist” attack.

Sending my prayers to the families of those killed in the horrific terrorist attack on #AmarnathYatra: https://t.co/h0kZ3b4Eah — John Ratcliffe (@RepRatcliffe) July 11, 2017

Congressman Jim Costa said he is “Deeply saddened at the cowardly attack” on innocent Amarnath Yatra pilgrims.

Deeply saddened at the cowardly attack on innocent #AmarnathYatra pilgrims. My thoughts and prayers are with you. https://t.co/FaIqZD2F57 — Rep. Jim Costa (@RepJimCosta) July 11, 2017

“The terrorist attack on AmarnathYatra is reprehensible and must be condemned,” tweeted Congressman Ted Poe.

The terrorist attack on #AmarnathYatra is reprehensible and must be condemned. https://t.co/q1WsUlwQOR — Ted Poe (@JudgeTedPoe) July 11, 2017

Congressman John Culberson said:

Our hearts go out to the victims of the terrorist attack on #AmarnathYatra. We must stand united against these deplorable acts of terror. — John Culberson (@CongCulberson) July 11, 2017

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard said: