NEW DELHI, Nov 28: Indian Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee denied on Monday a colleague’s claim that Pakistan was somehow responsible for the killing of an Indian driver by the Taliban in Afghanistan and said New Delhi had in fact asked Islamabad for help in the incident.
Press Trust of India, which had earlier quoted National Security Advisor M.K. Naryanan as suggesting that Pakistan had a hand in the incident, quoted Mr Mukherjee as telling parliament that the report was not true.
“India had sought Pakistan’s help in rescuing (Border Roads Organisation) employee Maniappan Raman Kutty, who was abducted and killed by the Taliban, but was told by Islamabad that it has ceased to have any contacts with the Afghan militia,” Mr Mukherjee was quoted as telling the Lok Sabha.
He said Pakistani authorities expressed their inability to assist on the ground that they no longer had any contacts with the Taliban.
“He denied that (the Indian) government has pointed any accusing finger at Pakistan for Kutty’s killing in western Afghanistan after four days in captivity,” PTI said.
The clarification came from Mr Mukherjee when Leader of the Opposition Lal Krishan Advani drew his attention to reports quoting Mr Narayanan that Pakistan was involved in the dastardly act. Mr Advani said it was a serious matter and wanted the government to take parliament into confidence.
