Days ahead of the home secretary-level talks with Pakistan, the Union home ministry defended the terror alert naming three Pakistanis, saying their presence in that country does not immediately give them a clean chit. The home ministry’s tough stand comes despite Pakistan’s rejection of the terror alert. The Research and Analysis wing, India’s external intelligence agency, had received inputs of a terror plot, similar to 26/11, involving five Pakistanis, three of whom turned out to be living at their homes in Lahore and doing business. These inputs were shared with states, particularly Mumbai police, which released photographs of the suspected LeT terror suspects.
The Pakistan foreign office on Friday reportedly termed the terror alert as “mischievous” after the three Pakistanis established their identity to the Pakistani police. The alleged slip up, if found correct, can cause major embarrassment for India, particularly when home secretary R.K. Singh is visiting Islamabad for bilateral talks in the last week of May. “These charges are mischievous and without any substance. We are looking into these unfounded allegations,” a Pakistani foreign office spokesperson was quoted as saying by the media.
Notably, Pakistan has not lodged any formal protest with India.