'Can't tell victim from perpetrator': India hits back at OIC over terror action remarks

India on Tuesday rebuked the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) over its remarks on New Delhi's action against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, saying the group is "unable to distinguish between the victim and perpetrator".

"I now respond to the statement made by the OIC Chair regarding India's focused and measured action against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, from where terrorist attacks against India have been planned and directed. It is unfortunate that the speaker is unable to distinguish between fact and fiction and cannot differentiate between the victim and the perpetrator," BJP MP Biplab Kumar Deb said at the UN General Assembly.

"India has the full right to protect its people against terrorism on the border coming from Pakistan. The consequences of being involved in terrorism will not be tolerated," he added.

The Lok Sabha MP from West Tripura delivered India's national statement at the UN General Assembly Sixth Committee on 'Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism'. He is part of a visiting delegation of 15 MPs, who arrived here for their UN familiarisation week.

Terrorism in all its forms, including cross-border terrorism, remains one of the most serious threats to humanity, Biplab said. "This threat has serious implications for international peace and security, economic progress, democratic institutions and human rights. It attacks the most fundamental right of every human being- the right to life," he said.

"Terrorism is contrary to the values of the United Nations. Deliberately targeting civilians can never be justified in any manner. There is no distinction between good and bad terrorism. India considers terrorist attacks as crimes against humanity. As India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said, 'We consider that even a single attack is one too many and even a single life lost is one too many'..," he added.