Umbrella organization of Indian-Americans condemns Pulwama terror attack in Kashmir

- ADVERTISEMENT -

The National Federation of Indian American Associations joined the chorus of condemnations in this country from the White House down to state and local level, of the Feb. 14 terror attack in Kashmir, that killed 44 members of the Central Reserve Police Force.

“An act of terrorism cannot and should not go without heavy punishments for those who cowardly use suicidal personnel to carry out such barbaric activities. NFIA strongly condemns this act and offer condolences to the families of 44 paramilitary personnel families,” the organization said in a press statement.

“The community is engaged in holding meetings and paying their tributes to the Martyrs. Washington DC and Los Angeles that has lot of Indian families are planning to offer assistance to the families of these jawans,” the NFIA said in a statement.

“People are right now shocked and angry. And since we are all connected globally and people seeing the photographs, the corpses, and the destruction, has made everyone very emotional. They need to express how they feel. Our wish is there should be peace all over the world. We hope all nations will join in condemning any act of terror wherever it may happen,” Angela Anand, president of NFIA told News India Times. “Our board wants to raise funds and we are looking into it. But seeing what Indians are doing for those affected, including Bollywood, is very reassuring.”

The attack on a vehicle carrying paramilitary personnel traveling on the Jammu Srinagar Highway, by a suicide bomber in Lethpora near Awanthipora, Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, has drawn Indians in India and around the world together, and also brought condemnation from numerous countries.

“The Board of NFIA strongly condemns all terrorism activities and is of the opinion that such activities must be combated by strong counter-terrorism efforts by all nations,” the Indian-American organization said, adding that the Indian diaspora “has been shocked and is offering prayers and arranging activities to pray for peace for the departed souls whose lives have been cut short by such act and pay homage to Indian forces who lost their lives in protecting their country.”

The NFIA along with other Federation of Indian Associations, UFICA, Gujarati Samaj Overseas Friends of the Bharatiya Janata Party, planned a “Tribute to the Martyrs Feb. 17, at the Sanatan Dharma Temple, in Norwalk, California, the organization announced.