‘Break-in’ at Indian envoy’s home in Pak

NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan are headed for a major diplomatic spat over the ‘break in’ at the home of high commissioner Satyabrata Pal in Islamabad on Monday. The envoy was away in Karachi at the time.

New Delhi has lodged a strong protest in Islamabad and summoned Pakistan’s deputy high commissioner here, Afrasiab, who said “Investigations are being carried out and we will get back as soon as this is completed.’’

However neither side is using the word ‘summoned’. ``It was communicated to us when I went for a meeting,’’ Afrasiab said.

India and Pakistan have had their share of such incidents but never at the level of high commissioner. They  generally involved  known intelligence people on both sides. 

“This kind of action is unprecedented even going by Pakistani standards,” a senior official who did not wish to be identified said.

The high commissioner’s residence in Islamabad is like a fortress and a break in is not possible without the green signal of the authorities. Considering that Pervez Musharraf’s government is fighting with its back to the wall, opening another front with India appears rather foolish. India is puzzled at this unprovoked attack and waiting for an explanation.

New Delhi has been worried about the situation in Pakistan but has refrained from making any strong comments on the issue. Instability in Pakistan will fan militancy in India, National Security Adviser MK Narayanan had told reporters on Sunday, while travelling to Moscow. He said the government was concerned about the situation in the neighbouring country and was keeping a close watch on the borders.

In fact India has refrained from directly calling for restoration of democracy in Pakistan, unlike many other nations which have been critical of General Musharraf’s decision to impose emergency rule in the country.

Islamabad has in the past charged India with having a hand in the violence in troubled torn Sindh province. The fact that high commissioner Pal was in Karachi when the break in happened may have had something to do with it. Whether the attack was by the Pakistani establishment or by elements working independently is not yet certain. However this is the first time the home of the high commissioner has been attacked.