Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 22: A Pakistani inmate today allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself inside the barrack in district jail Ambphalla.
According to police sources, 42-year-old Pakistani prisoner identified as Showkat Ali, son of Barkat Ali, a resident of Sialkote, Pakistan during wee hours hanged himself from an iron grill inside his barrack in district jail Ambphalla premises and ended his life.
He was lodged in the jail since 2011 under Foreigners Act and was arrested by the Police from Arnia Sector along Indo-Pak international border.
The body was shifted to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for postmortem.
An inquiry by a magistrate has been ordered into the alleged suicide of the Pakistani jail inmate.
The body would be handed over to Pakistan authorities after completing all legal formalities for handing over the same to the family members of victim for last rites.
PTI adds from New Delhi & Islamabad:
Pakistan today raised with India the issue of reported death of a Pakistani prisoner and sought an investigation into the matter.
Sources in Pakistani High Commission said the reports of the death of Showkat Ali, a Pakistani prisoner, has been taken up with the Ministry of External Affairs.
They said the Pakistani High Commission has sought confirmation of the reported death and particulars of the person. They have also sought “full investigation” into the incident.
The Pakistani side also asked MEA to provide security to all prisoners from the country lodged in jails in India.
Pakistan also asked India to repatriate all its nationals who have completed their prison sentences on humanitarian grounds following the alleged suicide of a Pakistani prisoner in Jammu jail.
The Foreign Ministry said the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi has been asked to submit a report on the alleged suicide by 42-year-old Showkat Ali.
“This is an issue we have raised earlier too. All prisoners who have completed their term should be sent back on humanitarian grounds,” Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam told.
She said the issue of prisoners on both sides should be handled in a humanitarian manner.
“We have asked our High Commission in New Delhi to let us know what exactly happened and if it is a suicide what led him to do so. Our mission is in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson,” she said.
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