Pakistan arrests Indian spy in Balochistan, summons India envoy

Pakistani forces have arrested an Indian spy from Balochistan province

QUETTA – Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti confirmed that the Indian officer was arrested three days ago. The Indian Naval officer of the rank of Commander was reportedly working for Research and Analysis Wing and was identified as Commander Kulbhushan Yadav.

The Home Minister said Yadav was active in Balochistan with an aim to destabilize Pakistan. “It has been our contention that RAW has been involved (in creating unrest in Balochistan,” said the Home Minister.

RAW agent had contact with separatist elements in Balochistan and involved in acts of sectarian terrorism and terror attacks in Karachi, Lt Gen Aamer Riaz. “Our enemies do not want development and prosperity in Balochistan,” said Lt Gen Aamer Riaz. He further said that the people of the country need to understand the dangers faced by Pakistan.

The officer was shifted to Islamabad for interrogation as he was suspected of being involved in various acts of terrorism in the province, the official said.Foreign Office sources said that Bambawale was summoned by Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry, who shared details of the man’s arrest with the Indian High Commissioner.

Aizaz Chaudhry lodged a strong protest with Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale over ‘India’s spying activities’ in Balochistan and Karachi, making it clear that this was unacceptable.

In New Delhi, the external affairs ministry spokesperson said the detained “individual has no link with (the) government since his premature retirement from Indian Navy”. Indian authorities have sought consular access to him. “India has no interest in interfering in internal matters of any country and firmly believes that a stable and peaceful Pakistan is in the interest of all in the region,” the spokesperson added.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused India of fomenting unrest in Balochistan, the country’s largest province, but it has never offered any evidence to back up its claims. Such allegations have always been dismissed by New Delhi.

The arrest of the suspected RAW officer comes just days before a possible meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian counterpart Narendra Modi at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington.