Islamabad: Diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan surfaced on February 19 with Indian High Commission in Islamabad lodging two protests in a day objecting to the "aggressive tailing and harassment" of its Defence Attache Brig R K Karwal by Pakistan intelligence agencies.

Vikram Misri, acting Charge d' Affaires, said the High Commission has sent two "note verbales" on February 19 to the Pakistan Foreign Office protesting the harassment of Brig Karwal at the hands of local intelligence agencies.

The protest notes were in addition to the one sent on February 13 complaining of Brig Karwal being subjected to aggressive surveillance, similar to the one experienced by former Charge d 'Affaires, Sudhir Vyas two weeks ago before his expulsion along with four other staffers of the mission.

The protests came just a day after the two countries cleared the visas of diplomats to enable them take up assignments as Deputy High Commissioners in their respective missions at New Delhi and Islamabad.

According to Misri, Brig Karwal was being followed very closely in an "intimidating fashion" during the past few weeks. On February 19, his vehicle was blocked several times by vehicles of intelligence agencies that followed him while he was returning from a money-changer's shop in the busy Blue area.

The Brigadier was also followed in an intimidating fashion even when he went out for walks with his family, he said.

PTI