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May 23, 2004

Prime Minister condoles the death of BSF personnel and their kin in J&K

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has expressed deepest sorrow at the land mine blast on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway in J&K in which 15 BSF jawans, four women and six children lost their lives. The Prime Minister has said that persistence of the senseless violence in J&K is yet another indication that terrorism continues to pose a great threat to the nation's integrity and progress. He said that while the Government would continue to seek peaceful resolutions to all outstanding problems, there would be no compromise on the solemn resolve to deal with the menace of terrorism with firm determination.

Expressing sympathy to the bereaved families, the Prime Minister said that their loss was truly irreparable and shared by the entire nation. He said that while nothing could compensate the loss of the bereaved families, the Government would explore effective measures to provide relief to them.

Following is the text of the Prime Minister's statement:

" I have learnt with the deepest sorrow about the latest cowardly act of terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir in which 15 BSF jawans, 4 women and 6 children have lost their lives. The persistence of this senseless violence in Jammu & Kashmir is yet another indication that terrorism continues to pose a grave threat to our nation's integrity and progress.

While we will continue to seek peaceful resolutions to all outstanding problems, there can be no compromise on our solemn resolve to deal with the menace of terrorism with firm determination.

My heart goes out in sympathy to the members of bereaved families. Their loss, which is shared by the entire nation, is truly irreparable. Nothing can compensate these families for the loss of their dear ones. But our Government will explore more effective measures to provide relief to them so that these families are enabled to lead a life of dignity and self-respect, despite the loss of their bread-winners through terrorist acts."