New Delhi:President Pranab Mukherjee today condemned the “outrageous” terrorist attack on an Army base at Uri and said India would thwart the “evil designs” of terrorists and their backers.

“India will not be cowed down by such attacks, we will thwart the evil designs of terrorists and their backers,” the President said, without naming Pakistan.

Mukherjee, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, strongly condemned the “outrageous terrorist attack on Army base in Uri”.

Paying rich tributes to brave soldiers who made supreme sacrifice, the President expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of those who laid down their lives in the terror strike.

He also prayed for speedy recovery of those injured.

Uri, a small town located 103 kms north of Srinagar, woke up to heavy gunfire when four terrorists of Jaish-e- Mohammed group entered the battalion headquarters of 10 Dogra regiment and killed 17 soldiers. All the four terrorists were eliminated.

The President also wrote to Army Chief General Dalbir Singh conveying condolences on the loss of lives of soldiers in the terrorist attack in Uri.

“It is with deep shock and outrage that I learned of the terrorist attack in Uri in which many soldiers were killed and others injured,” the President said.

Saluting the martyrs who made the supreme sacrifice, the President said, “In this hour of distress, I extend my deepest condolences to members of the bereaved families as well as prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured in the attack.” PTI