"We will not bow down before terrorists. We will give a befitting reply," Gandhi said at an election rally in this town on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road.

The Congress president said the country has taken "several steps to have a friendly and brotherly relationship with our neighbours.

"We are extending the hand of friendship to our neighbours but that should not be considered as our weakness," she said.

Gandhi said terror has no religion and "we will counter it ". She said there will be no compromise with those who are against humanity and human values.

On the Kashmir issue, Gandhi said "we are ready for talks at any level within the framework of Constitution for the welfare of the people".

"We are a peace loving country. Peace is imperative for the development of the country," the UPA chairperson said.