Attack on Pakistani prisoner regrettable: India

Stating that the guilty would be punished, India Friday said the attack on a Pakistani prisoner in a Jammu jail was "regrettable" and proposed a meeting of concerned authorities from both countries to identify measures to "avoid such tragic incidents".

"We are aware of the regrettable incident involving a Pakistani prisoner, Sanaullah Ranjay, who was injured today during an altercation with another inmate of a jail in Jammu," the external affairs ministry said in a statement.

"The matter is being investigated and the guilty will be punished."

The Pakistani prisoner was critically injured when he was attacked by a fellow inmate in Jammu's high security Kot Bhalwal jail, a day after Indian death row prisoner Sarabjit Singh died after being attacked in a Lahore prison.

Sanaullah, a resident of Sialkot, was attacked by former Indian Army soldier Vinod Kumar, convicted for murder, following an altercation Friday morning.

The ministry said an advisory had been issued to strengthen security for Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails.

"Safety and security of prisoners in custody lies with the jail authorities and necessary action is being taken," the statement added.

"The injured is receiving medical treatment and once the medical arrangements are in place consular access will be provided."

According to the statement, there are 535 Indian prisoners, including 483 fishermen, in Pakistani jails and 272 Pakistani prisoners in Indian jails.

"We had requested the joint Judicial Committee to visit jails in Pakistan. This was the Committee's sixth meeting and they have made some recommendations," the statement added.

"In view of the tragic events that include the killing of two Indian prisoners in Pakistani jails and the incident involving a Pakistani prisoner in a jail in Jammu today (Friday) there is a need to take stock of the current measures in place to ensure the safety, security and humane treatment of Indian and Pakistani prisoners in each others jails," it added.

"For this, we are proposing a meeting of the concerned authorities of both countries to study the recommendations and identify and put in place further measures to avoid such tragic incidents in future," the statement said.