ISLAMABAD: A senior Indian diplomat was “forcibly abducted” outside his house here but released some six hours later after Pakistan declared him persona nonagrata.
Counselor in the High Commission Rajesi Mittal was “physically pulled out of his car bundled into one of the cars of the Pakistani intelligence agency and taken away” the High Commission aid.
The High Commission added “Three cars belonging to the Pakistani intelligence agencies and usually on deployment for surveillance and harassment of Indian diplomats blocked Mittals car as he was proceeding towards the Indian High Commission.
The Indian officials car was also taken away Mittals father Dr.B.B.Mittal who rushed out of his house in aid of his son was “restrained” by Pakistani officials from rendering any assistance the High Commission said.
A Pakistani foreign office statement released after Mittal was set free alleged that “Pakistan security agency apprehended Mittal while he was receiving highly classified documents from a Pastani. His identity was established during interrogation by police.”
The Indian High Commission has asked the Pakistani authorities to ensure the immediate return of the Indian diplomat.
A Pakistan Foreign Minister spokesperson said “The complaint has been received and the authorities concerned are looking into it.”
He refused to comment on the specifics of Indias complaint said Pakistanis fully committed to safeguarding the diplomatic privileges and immunities of foregoing diplomats and consular officers in Pakistan.
New Delhi has strongly protested against the kidnapping of Mittal and has asked the Pakistan authorities to release him immediately and apprehend and punish the culprits.
Secretary (Est) Lakhan Mehrotra summoned Pakistan Charge d Affairs Shahid Mahil here and conveyed Indias serious concern at the kidnapping of the Mittal.
Mallik was told that this type of behavior does not help in building good relations between the two countries. It was most regrettable that this type of incident had taken Place after Prime Minister Narasimha Rao’s cordial talks with Pakistan Premier Nawaz Sharif at Devos in Switzerland early this year it was pointed out.
Mehrotra told the Pakistani official that from time to time Pakistani had been lying to intimidate harass and interfere with the functioning of Indian officials and their families living in Islamabad.
When Minister of State for Internal Affairs Eduardo Feleiro and his Pakistani counterpart were In Dal recently so much “sweetness love and affection” were expressed” but the “crude behavior of Pakistan” does not tally with the sentiments) of goodwill and cooperation” the Indian official said.
Mchrotra told the Pakistani official that such incidents had happened in the past also New Delhi had to summon the Pakistani High Commissioner in 1990 10” lodge a protest he said.
According to a spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry the trade in High Commissioner in Islamabad is inconstant touch with New Delhi as well as Pakistan Foreign Secretary Shiharyar Khan.
He said Pakistan was also told that this type of behavior does not argue well on the eve of the sixth round of secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan scheduled on June 1.
Describing the kidnapping incident as “incredible” the Ministry spokesperson said it was a blatant violation of the Vienna Convention regarding protection of diplomats.
Meanwhile the for the coming secretary-level talks may not yield “meaningful progress” in view of the statement of the Pakistan Prime Minister political analysts in Islamabad feel. Pakistan is also unlikely to accept the invitation to Army Chief Gen. Asif Nawas to visit India a part of confidence building measures aimed at improving bilateral relations between the two neighbors the analysts say.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 5, 1992
