Why are ISI's spies handled by the Pakistan high commission

New Delhi, Dec 1: The recent busting of a spy ring run by the ISI once again shows how the high commissions of Pakistan play a pro-active role in controlling the racket.

The recent arrest of Mohammad Kalam alias Eizaz would show he was helped extensively by the Pakistan High Commission in Bangladesh.

This brings back memories of the Arun Selvarajan case busted in Chennai in which it was found that he was being extensively helped by the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Using the Pakistan high commission to remote control a spy into India is not a new syndrome and since it is considered to be a safe bet, the ISI relies on it a lot.

The High Commission connection:

In the case of Eizaz who was arrested from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh last week, it was found that he was tasked with collecting information on sensitive military installations. Intelligence Bureau officials say that the ISI tasks such persons in various locations who in turn have to collect information on sensitive military locations among other details.

Investigations being conducted have found that he was largely helped by the Pakistan High Commission in Bangladesh.

The desk handling him was at the High Commission in Bangladesh. Further it was also found that the material he was sourcing would have to be passed on to the handler on the Bangladesh desk.

One could draw a similarity between the instant case and also the one busted in Chennai last year.

In the Chennai case it was found that the operatives were being handled by a person called Amir Zubair Siddiqui who was the consular officer in the Pakistan's High Commission in Colombo.

He was instructing the operatives to pick up information on sensitive locations in South India so that they could replicate a 26/11 in Chennai.

Why are High Commissions preferred?

The ISI has always preferred to plant one of its officials in a high commission. A high commission or a consular officer does not come under the scanner that easily.

The officer enjoys diplomatic immunity and hence an arrest is extremely difficult. Take the case of Siddiqui. The moment his name cropped up, he was assisted by Sri Lanka so that he could be flown into Pakistan safely.

Once back in their home country, the ISI would de-brief such persons and provide them with a desk job. He would not be moved out of Pakistan for any assignment once his cover is blown. The ISI also follows the same routine with an officer would have successfully completed a mission also.

OneIndia News