Taking umbrage at Pakistan's depiction of Hizbul Mujahideen's slain commander Burhan Wani as “martyr”, Home Minister Rajnath Singh strongly condemned the "glorification or eulogising of terrorists".
"There should be no glorification or eulogising of terrorists as martyrs," he said, while addressing SAARC home ministers' meet in Islamabad on Thursday. “Those who provide support, encouragement, give sanctuary and safe haven and assistance to terrorists and terrorism must be isolated.”
"There should be strongest action not only against terrorists but also against organisations, individuals, and nations who support terrorism,” he said.
Though Singh's tough talk surprised many, it garnered the support of the SAARC countries in fighting the menace of terror in their neighbourhood.
His first visit to Islamabad as home minister comes in the backdrop of protests and demonstrations by terror groups in Pakistan.
"Mere condemnation of terrorism is not enough," said Singh, as he stressed on the need to immediately ratify SAARC convention on mutual assistance in criminal matters.
"There is no good or bad terrorism. Terrorism is terrorism," he said.
In a last-minute decision, Singh's scheduled meeting with the media at the Delhi airport on his return to India, was cancelled.
