China 'strongly condemns' Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan 'concerned' at loss of lives

Indian security officers stand guard near Pahalgam in south Kashmir after assailants indiscriminately opened fired at tourists on April 22.

Beijing's foreign ministry offered "sincere sympathies" on Wednesday following an attack on tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed 26 people, mostly tourists.

"We mourn the victims and extend our sincere sympathies to the families of the victims and the injured," foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said, adding China "strongly condemns this attack".

Meanwhile, China's all-weather ally Pakistan said it was "concerned" over the loss of lives.

"We are concerned at the loss of tourists' lives in an attack in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir. We extend our condolences to the near ones of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery," the Pakistan foreign minister said in a statement.

Earlier today, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif distanced Islamabad from the dastardly terror attack, describing the violence as “home-grown” and part of a wider rebellion against India.

The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy for the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

The 26 dead included two foreigners and two locals, a high-ranking official said without getting into the details.

Following the attack, anti-Pakistan protests were held in Jammu city yesterday, with protestors demanding an operation to flush out terrorists from the Valley.

Led by it president Rakesh Kumar, Rashtriya Bajrang Dal (RBD) took out a protest march in Jammu city against the attack. They raised slogans against Pakistan and burnt its flag.