New Delhi: India has alleged ‘abduction’ and ‘torture’ of two officials of the High Commission of India in Islamabad’’ by Pakistan security agencies.
India also summoned the charges d’ affaires of Pakistan and lodged a strong protest over the issue.
According to a Ministry of External Affairs statement, “The two Indian officials were subjected to interrogation, torture and physical assault resulting in grievous injuries to them. They were video-graphed and coerced to accept a litany of fictitious allegations and concocted charges. The vehicle of the High Commission, in which they were travelling, was extensively damaged.”
It added: “This premeditated, grave and provocative action on the part of the Pakistani authorities, preceded by intensified surveillance, harassment and intimidation of High Commission personnel over the past several days, was designed to obstruct and disrupt the normal functioning of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. The attempt by Pakistani authorities to levy false accusations and concocted charges on the officials of the High Commission is rejected in entirety.”
Indian officials in the High Commission had recently complained about being aggressively tailed in Islamabad. A video of the India’s Charge d’affaires Gaurav Ahluwalia’s car being chased by ISI was shared recently on Twitter.
The statement added: “Our grave concerns at the fact that the Pakistan agencies threatened to physically harm more officials of the Indian Mission have been shared. It has been highlighted that Pakistan is responsible for the safety and security of the Indian High Commission, its officials, staff members, their families and properties.”