Patna, Sep 18 (IANS): Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad on Sunday took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said his failure to tackle the situation in Jammu and Kashmir was responsible for the attack on an army camp near Uri.

"Modi ki laparwahi aur nakaami se jawan marae ja rahein hain. Kahan gaya Modi ka 56-inch ka seena? (Soldiers are dying due to the failure and negligence of Modi; where is his 56-inch chest now?)," Lalu told the media here.

Terrorists attacked the army camp near Uri early Sunday morning, leading to the death of 17 soldiers. Over two dozen soldiers were also injured in the audacious attack. All the four heavily-armed militants involved in the strike were killed during a two-and-half-hour gun battle, military officials said.

Lalu said the terror act is "highly condemnable", but a mere condemnation will not suffice.

"The Centre has to take tough action to give a befitting reply to terrorists."

The former Bihar Chief Minister flayed Modi for what he said was "deteriorating" condition in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the state is an integral part of India but the situation there is going out of control, thanks to "only big talk and no action" on the ground.