M A I N   N E W S

India had sought Pakistan’s help to save Kutty

New Delhi, November 28
India had sought Pakistan’s help in rescuing BRO employee Maniappan Raman Kutty, who was abducted and killed by the Taliban, but was told by Islamabad that it had ceased to have any contacts with the Afghan militia, the Lok Sabha was informed today.

The Pakistani authorities expressed their inability to assist on the ground that they no longer had any contact with the Taliban, Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee said after making a suo motu statement on the Kutty incident.

He denied the government had pointed an accusing finger at Pakistan for Kutty’s killing in western Afghanistan after four days in captivity.

The clarification came from Mr Mukherjee, who is also Defence Minister, when Leader of the Opposition L. K. Advani drew the government’s attention to reports quoting National Security Adviser M. K. Narayanan that Pakistan was involved in the dastardly act.

Mr Advani said it was a serious matter and wanted the government to take Parliament into confidence.

Mr Mukherjee said he had spoken to Mr Narayanan who told him that he was “misquoted”. Mr Narayanan had conveyed to him that he had not stated that Pakistan was responsible for the incident.

Mr Mukherjee assured the House that the government attached utmost importance to the safety and security of all Indian citizens and “will not hesitate in taking whatever measures that are necessary to ensure this”.

He said “the Taliban and its backers bear the responsibility for consequences of this outrageous act. The perpetrators of this heinous crime must be brought to justice swiftly.”

Mr Mukherjee said no effort was made by the abductors to contact either the Indian Embassy or the BRO. The Afghan Government, too, was unable to establish contact with them.

Pak denial

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan today denied its involvement in the killing of Border Roads Organisation driver R. K. Maniappan in Afghanistan and said that a statement by India’s National Security Advisor M. K. Narayanan levelling the charge was not a “responsible” one.

“It is not a responsible statement because there is no such evidence,” Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said. He said eight Pakistani drivers were killed during the past few years while transporting fuel to Afghanistan and Pakistan had not “pointed” a finger at anyone. — PTI