Pakistan launches international offensive over arrest of Indian 'spy'

Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday said it has informed the European Union and major world powers about the arrest of an Indian ‘spy’ from restive Balochistan province and asked Iran to provide details of his ‘spy network’.

Kulbhushan Yadav, the alleged chief operative of Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) was arrested by Pakistani security agencies last week from Chaman near Quetta.

Speaking at his weekly news briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said major world powers and EU have been informed about the arrest of a serving Indian Navy officer for planning “subversive activities” in Pakistan.

“All of you are well aware that a very important development took place last week… Entire world also watched the RAW officer’s voluntary confession about RAW’s involvement in terrorist and subversive activities in Pakistan,” Zakaria said.

“Pakistan has been inviting the international community’s attention to the Indian state institutions’ involvement in conducting and supporting terrorist and separatist activities in Pakistan.”

He said Pakistan last year had submitted dossiers to the UN and the US, containing “information and evidence about Indian state sponsored terrorism in Pakistan”.

“Revelations of Indian designs by Kulbashan Yadav has vindicated Pakistan’s position on the issue and also exposed Indian designs against Pakistan and involvement in terrorism,” he said.

“We have briefed P-5 (China, France, Russia, the US and the UK) and EU on the issue (Yadav). Following the arrest of Kulbushan Yadav and his confession of involvement in subversive activities, the Indian High Commissioner was summoned to the Foreign Office and we conveyed our protest and deep concern.

“We have also brought this to the attention of P-5 and EU members. The international community is being briefed through our Missions abroad as the investigation progresses and more evidence becomes available,” Zakaria said.

He said Pakistan is considering India’s request for consular access to Yadav.

“As to the question regarding consular access, the request is under consideration.”

“I am not aware of, at this point in time, about Pakistan’s request for access to Indian officials with whom Mr Kulbushan Yadav had contacts. The investigations are still on and future course of action will depend on the outcome.”

Yadav’s confession has proved that the finances were provided by Yadav’s handler in Indian external spy agency, RAW.

“I would like to draw your attention to what DG ISPR had said in his briefing on 29 March 2016. I have nothing to add to what he had already stated in his briefing except that the Government of Iran is aware of our concern over RAW’s activities against Pakistan and they have assured us that nobody will be allowed to use Iranian land against Pakistan.”