Pak exposed before world courtesy Syed Salahuddin's protest: Congress

The Congress Party on Wednesday said Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin's protest in Islamabad against Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has exposed Pakistan's mentality before the world and cautioned the Centre to take every step carefully.

"This was meant to happen. Pakistan has shown its mentality in front of the world. And if this protest continues and the Pakistan Government does not takes a step against the agitation then this will also clear Pakistan's stand in the regard," Congress leader Renuka Chowdhary said.

"This is what we are trying to explain this government that it should take every step very carefully. Mr. Rajnath Singh will come back and give us the answers. Let's see what he comes back with. I hope he has a safe journey and a safe return," she added.

Salahudeen, one of the most wanted terrorists in the NIA list and chief of united Jihad Council, today took to the streets in Islamabad against Rajnath's visit.

Holding Rajnath responsible for the killings of his area commander Burhan Wani and Kashmiri protesters, Salahudeen, also head of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, criticised the Pakistan Government for welcoming the Indian Home Minister.

"It amounts to rubbing salt on the wounds of the Kashmiri people," he said.

He, however, warned that until the Kashmir Valley was free from the presence of Indian forces, jihad in Kashmir would continue.

The Home Minister, in his speech at the two-day meeting, is expected to raise the issue of Pakistan's support to terror groups operating in India and ask Islamabad to check Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad and other groups based in that country.

Rajnath is also likely to raise the issue of fake Indian currency notes being circulated at the behest of Pakistani agencies.

Apart from terrorism, other key issues likely to be discussed include liberalisation of visa, illegal trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and small arms and how to make coordinated and concerted efforts to combat such menace.

The External Affairs Ministry has made it clear that there will be no bilateral meeting between the Home Minister and Pakistani leaders.

The visit comes in the backdrop of growing strain in the Indo-Pak ties after Pakistan and its Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made provocative statements on the Kashmir situation in the wake of a militant's killing on the 8th of last month.