New Delhi, August 1:Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district that claimed the lives of two non-local workers, asserting that the nation stands united against terrorism.

Expressing grief over the incident, Gandhi said the killing of the two workers was deeply tragic and extended his condolences to their bereaved families.

"The cowardly terrorist attack in Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the murder of two workers from our country, is extremely tragic. I extend my condolences to the grieving families," Gandhi posted on X.

He called for strict action against those responsible, saying the terrorists must receive the harshest possible punishment. "The nation remains united against terrorism," he added.

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Pawan Khera also denounced the attack, describing the killing of the two migrant workers from Chhattisgarh as an act of barbarism that had shocked the nation's collective conscience.

In a post on X, Khera said those responsible must be brought to justice without delay. He also questioned the Centre's claims of restored normalcy in Jammu and Kashmir, arguing that repeated attacks expose gaps in security.

Khera said the government has encouraged tourists, workers and businesses to return to the Valley while failing to ensure their safety. He stressed that true normalcy can only be established when every resident, worker and visitor is guaranteed security.

He also criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that the government had failed in its responsibility to maintain internal security in Jammu and Kashmir.

Meanwhile, officials said the second non-local worker, who had sustained critical injuries in Friday evening's attack in the Kellam area of south Kashmir's Kulgam district, succumbed to his injuries on Saturday, taking the death toll to two.

Following the attack, security forces sealed off the Kellam area and launched a massive search operation to trace the terrorists. Police said the attackers had opened fire on the non-local workers on Friday evening, killing one on the spot while critically injuring the other.