Seema Guha 

New Delhi: India and Pakistan are headed for a major diplomatic spat over the ‘break in’ at the home of high commissioner Satyabrata Pal in Islamabad on Monday. The envoy was away in Karachi at the time.

New Delhi has lodged a strong protest in Islamabad and summoned Pakistan’s deputy high commissioner here, Afrasiab, who said “Investigations are being carried out and we will get back as soon as this is completed.’’

However neither side is using the word ‘summoned’.

``It was communicated to us when I went for a meeting,’’ Afrasiab said.

India and Pakistan have had their share of such incidents but never at the level of high commissioner. They generally involved known intelligence people on both sides.

“This kind of action is unprecedented even going by Pakistani standards,” a senior official who did not wish to be identified said.

The high commissioner’s residence in Islamabad is like a fortress and a break in is not possible without the green signal of the authorities. Considering that Pervez Musharraf ’s government is fighting with its back to the wall, opening another front with India appears rather foolish.

India is puzzled at this unprovoked attack and waiting for an explanation.

Source : DNA