New Delhi, May 26 (IANS): "Deeply dismayed" and "shocked" by the Maoist attack on a Congress convoy in Chhattisgarh, President Pranab Mukherjee Sunday said the country would not be "overawed" or "intimidated" by such action.

"I am deeply dismayed and shocked at the wanton violence unleashed by Maoists. I condemn this incident in the strongest of terms and would like to reiterate that violence has no place whatsoever in our democratic polity," Mukherjee said.

"The nation will neither be overawed nor intimidated by such action," he added.

Calling upon concerned authorities to do their utmost to bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice, Mukherjee said that the safety and security of the country's citizens should be ensured at all times.

"I express my deepest condolences to the families of those killed in the incident and offer my prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured in the incident," he added.

A large number of heavily-armed Maoists Saturday attacked a Congress party convoy in a forested area of Chhattisgarh's southern Bastar area. They carried out a landmine blast and then opened fire, killing many.

Congress leader and former leader of the opposition Mahendra Karma and former legislator Uday Mudaliar were killed. Party leader and former union minister Vidya Charan Shukla was seriously injured in the firing.