New Delhi: At least 54 defence personnel missing after the 1965 and 1971 wars are believed to be in custody in Pakistan, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar told parliament yesterday.
However, Pakistan does not acknowledge the presence of any such personnel.
“Fifty four (54) missing defence personnel of 1965 and 1971 wars, including one from Border Security Force, are believed to be in custody in Pakistan,” Parrikar said in a written reply to Lok Sabha.
Parrikar said a delegation of 14 relatives of missing defence personnel had visited 10 jails in Pakistan in 2007 but could “not conclusively confirm the physical presence of any missing defence personnel”.
The minister added that Gujarat High Court had passed an order regarding payment of service and retirement benefits to the next of kin of the missing defence personnel believed to be in custody in Pakistan, as if they had retired on superannuation.
“The order of the Hon’ble Court has been accepted by the government and necessary action has been taken towards compliance of the judgment,” he added.
IANS
