Attack on army camp cowardly act: Sonia

New Delhi: Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Sunday described as "cowardly" the terrorist attack on an army camp near Uri in Jammu and Kashmir which left 17 soldiers dead.

Gandhi deplored "the affront on our national conscience" and hoped that "the forces behind (the attackers) will be severely dealt with and brought to book".

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi also condemned the attack on the Uri army camp.

"Strongly condemn the militant attack on Army base in Uri. My heartfelt condolences to the families of the bravehearts martyred in the attack," he said in a tweet.

Heavily-armed militants attacked the camp at Uri early in the morning, killing 17 soldiers and wounding several others. Security forces shot dead all four heavily-armed attackers.