ISLAMABAD, June 3: Pakistan protested on Monday with the Indian government against beating of its diplomat in New Delhi and demanded security for the High Commission staff.

“A protest has been lodged with the Indian government with a call to investigate the matter thoroughly and bring perpetrators to book,” Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Chaudhry said. The High Commission in Dehli made a demarche to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs over what was described as a “planned attack”.

First Secretary (Trade) Zargam Raza and his driver Haider were beaten up by a group of men while the former was returning home from the High Commission.

High Commission spokesman Manzoor Ali Memon told journalists in Dehli that two men on a motorbike hurled abuses at the diplomat. When Mr Raza objected, he was thrashed by some men.

The FO spokesman said both first secretary and his driver suffered serious injuries and were given medical treatment by the High Commission doctor.

A report of the incident, usually referred to as the First Information Report (FIR), has also been lodged with the local police.

The High Commission demarche also demanded of the Indian government to ensure safety and security of its staff as per Vienna Convention and international diplomatic practices.

Last such incident took place in April 2011 when a Pakistani mission driver was beaten up in Chandigharh where he had gone with High Commission officials to receive then prime minister Yousuf Raza Gilani for the Pak-India World Cup semi-final match.

In an apparent tit-for-tat attack an Indian High Commission official was a day later roughed up in Islamabad.