Shamli (Uttar Pradesh), Feb 20 (IANS): Congress President Rahul Gandhi and General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Wednesday met the family of Amit Kumar who was among the 40 CRPF troopers killed by a suicide bomber in Kashmir and pledged to stand by the family.

Accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Raj Babbar and General Secretary Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Gandhis paid their homage to the 22-year-old Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Constable at a prayer meeting here.

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi referred to the assassination of their own father and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 while expressing their grief and vowed to stand with the bereaved family.

"We have experienced grief and know how are feeling. Not just us but the entire nation is with you. Don't feel you are alone. We are with you and we will take care of you," said Priyanka Gandhi after garlanding a picture of the slain trooper.

Added Rahul Gandhi: "I have lost my father and I can understand how you must be feeling. While it is a sad day, your son's sacrifice is equally a matter of pride not just for you and us but for the entire nation.

"As a family you gave all your love to your son and your son showered that love for the nation and sacrificed his life. The entire nation is proud of him and all the CRPF men who made the supreme sacrifice," he said.

"India is a land of the braves. The CRPF martyrs have proven that by example. I also want to tell you that no power in the world can divide India... We are and we will be with you always," Gandhi added.