Pakistan denies consular access to Indian 'spy' Kulbushan Jadhav

Pakistan on Saturday turned down India's request seeking consular access to Indian national Kulbushan Jadhav, who was arrested by Pakistani forces earlier this year on charges of being a spy.

"After due consideration, it has been decided not to grant consular access to Jadhav," a top security source told DawnNews.

The source also said that the decision was taken due to the arrested Indian Navy officer's involvement in "subversive activities" in Pakistan, adding that Pakistan has collected documentary evidence against Jadhav which it will present before the UN.

Jadhav was arrested from Balochistan in March and Pakistan announced that he was 'a serving officer in the Indian Navy and had been deputed to the Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).'

India's External Affairs Ministry said that Jadhav formerly worked for Indian Navy and said its high commission in Islamabad was seeking consular access to him.

"The said individual has no link with Government since his premature retirement from Indian Navy. We have sought consular access to him," MEA official spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.

The Pakistan army, however, maintains that Jadhav was directly handled by the RAW chief, the Indian National Security Adviser and the RAW joint secretary.

On March 3 this year, security forces in Balochistan said they arrested a man who they said was a serving officer in the Indian Navy and deputed to the Indian intelligence agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

The Pakistan government also announced the recovery of travel documents and multiple fake identities from the arrested man, establishing him as an Indian spy who entered into Balochistan through Iran with a valid Iranian visa.