The United States on Tuesday condemned the attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district in which at least seven Amarnath Yatra pilgrims were killed. The US State Department said it was reprehensible that people who were on their way to worship were killed.

“These were civilians, they were killed as they were exercising their right to worship and that is, in large part, what makes this so reprehensible,” US State department spokesperson Heather Nauert said during a press conference, according to PTI. “That is a great concern to us and our thought and pryers go out to those people and to their families as well. Our prayers are with the victims and those who were affected.”

Several other US lawmakers took to Twitter to condemn the attack. Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard said pilgrims of any religion should be able to visit their holy places “without the fear of attacks by terrorists”.

Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said the attack on the pilgrims was devastating. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families affected and our friends in India. Sri Lanka condemns the attack on peaceful pilgrims,” he said on Twitter.

Meanwhile, German Ambassador Dr Martin Ney said, “On behalf of the government of Germany, I strongly condemn yesterday’s terrorist attack in Jammu & Kashmir…Germany resolutely stands by India in the fight against terrorism and extremism.”