The Prime Minister has condoled the tragic death of Afghan leader Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani and condemned the terrorist attack on the leader. In a letter to President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan Dr. Manmohan Singh said the best tribute the people of Afghanistan can pay to the departed leader is to carry on with the task that he had begun - securing a peaceful and safe future for the people of Afghanistan.

The text of the Prime Minister's letter is as follows:

"It is with great shock and sadness that I have learnt of the tragic death of Professor Burhanuddin Rabbani. This is a senseless act of terrorism which the Government and people of India condemn.

I fondly recall my two meetings with Professor Rabbani in Kabul in May 2011 and in New Delhi in July 2011 during which he had shared with me his vision of peace and reconciliation in Afghanistan.

The best tribute the people of Afghanistan can pay to him is to carry on with the task that he had begun - securing a peaceful and safe future for the people of Afghanistan.

Please accept my deepest condolences on the tragic loss. I wish to assure Your Excellency that India stands by you and the people of Afghanistan in this hour. "