A day after the dastardly attack in Pulwama that killed at least 37 CRPF men, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said that it was not a time to ask questions to the government but to stand by it.

“This is a time of mourning, sadness, and respect. We are fully supporting the government of India and our security forces. We are not going to get into any other conversation apart from this,” Mr Gandhi said at a press conference in New Delhi on Friday.

Mr. Gandhi was accompanied by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and former Defence Minister A.K. Anthony.

Calling it as attack on India’s soul, Mr Gandhi said that the forces behind the attack should not feel that India will forget the deaths of its men. “No amount of hatred can do anything to love and affection that India is built on,” he said.

Dr. Singh also reiterated the need to stand by the government in this though time. “As the Congress president has put eloquently, today is a day of mourning, our country has lost 40 jawans. Our foremost duty is to convey to families that we are with them. In condemning the act of terror, I also want to say that we will never compromise with terrorism,” he said.

We will do all that is necessary to keep the country united, he added.