As it happened: Sarabjit Singh on ventilator support

8.38pm: Sarabjit regains partial consciousness. Opens eyes. Still under observation even though doctors at Lahore’s Jinnah Hospital say that his condition has improved than before.

8.35pm: This is where Sarabjit Singh is being treated at present.

8.30pm: Sarabjit Singh’s sister Dalbir Kaur to CNN-IBN

“He always talked about threat to his life after Afzal was hanged. Another inmate actually threatened him to kill him with a knife. I approach everyone in New Delhi begging for his security. I want to go now to Pakistan immediately.”

8.24pm From Geo News, Pakistan

“Geo News correspondent Amin Hafeez reports that Singh has been given VVIP protocol at the Jinnah Hospital and police and Rangers have been deployed. Singh is said to be out of critical condition and has regained consciousness.

The Foreign Office has been contacted by the Indian High Commission over the attack. According to the Foreign Office spokesman the prison authorities, Punjab Home Department and Interior Ministry are conducting a joint investigation into the attack. The spokesman added that India’s request for counselor access was also being considered.”

( Read full story )

8.18pm Pakistan may allow Sarabjit Singh with consular access, reports CNN-IBN.

8.15pm: Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur to CNN-IBN

“The High Commission has asked for Consular Access. We are awaiting the response from the Pakistani side. Seeing their response we will take action. Our ministry will help Sarabjit’s sister to get visa and the High Commission will help her on the other side.”

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8.00pm: Times Now reported that the warden of Kot Lakhpat Jail has been called in to Jinnah hospital to donate blood to Sarabjit Singh who suffered severe blood loss after the incident. Sarabjit was unconscious when he was taken to hospital but has regained some consciousness when reports last came in. 8.00pm Pakistani human rights and civil rights activist Ansar Burney to Times Now

“It might be a planned incident to disturb the relationship between India and Pakistan. Not even a glass is allowed in the area where he was attacked. From where did those bricks come?” Burney said.

7.50pm India in touch with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s office. India has asked the Pakistan presidency to provide Sarabjit with the best possible medical care.

7.45pm Kot Lakhpat Jail warden suspended. Pakistan Interior Ministry forms a committee to enquire about the incident.

7.40pm: Top intelligence officials, heavy police presence at Lahore’s Jinnah hospital. Emergency like situation outside the hospital, Times Now reported.

7.35pm: Doctors trying hard to save Sarabjit Singh who suffered a huge amount of blood loss. Attacked happened around 5pm (Pakistan time) when Sarabjit was brought out of his death row cell for a walk.

Indian prisoner Sarabjit Singh is in a critical condition after he was reportedly attacked by as many as five fellow inmates following an altercation during lunch time at Lahore’s Kot Lakhpat Jail in Pakistan.

Death row convict Sarabjit is at present admitted to a Lahore’s Jinnah hospital after he was hit by a brick, CNN-IBN reported. Times Now reported that two of the inmates—Amir and Mudasser—along with other three prisoners allegedly hit Sarabjit on his head.

From The Dawn ( Read complete report )

“The prison administration confirmed Singh suffered serious wounds to his head.

“Singh was immediately rushed to a local hospital for emergency medical aid where, according to latest reports, he was currently undergoing a CT scan.”

Although Sarabjit was taken to the jail hospital, he was quickly shifted to Jinnah hospital following his serious condition.

There has been no official word from the Pakistani authorities on the incident so far. Details are awaited. Sarabjit was convicted for his alleged involvement in bomb blasts in Lahore and Faisalabad in 1990. He was awarded capital sentence in 1991 which was suspended by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari.