Prime Minister Narendra Modi

said the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir was a “shameful act on the democratic process” in the state which is in the midst of assembly polls.

“The terrorists did a shameful act by attacking the democratic process in Kashmir. Our brave security personnel gave a befitting reply to them,” Modi said while addressing an election rally in Hazaribagh.

Twenty-one people, including eight soldiers, were killed in a string of attacks across Kashmir Friday.

“An army officer from Jharkhand was also killed. I pay my tributes to the security personnel killed in terrorist attack,” said Modi.

Lt. Col. Sanklap Shukla, a resident of Ranchi, was killed in the attack. He is survived by an eight-year-old daughter and a four-year-old son.