RAWALPINDI: A military court on Monday handed Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav the death sentence after trial for involvement in espionage and sabotage activities in Karachi and Balochistan.
Jadhav was arrested on March 3, 2016 through a counter-intelligence operation in Balochistan’s Mashkel area for his involvement in espionage and sabotage activities against Pakistan, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
“The spy was tried through Field General Court Martial (FGCM) under the Pakistan Army Act (PAA) and awarded the death sentence.
Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa confirmed his death sentence awarded by FGCM,” the ISPR said.
Jadhav was tried by the FGCM under Section 59 of the PAA and Section 3 of the official Secret Act of 1923, the statement said.
Jadhav confessed before a magistrate and court that he was tasked by Indian spy agency Research and Analysis wing to plan, coordinate and organise espionage and sabotage activities seeking to destabilize and wage war against Pakistan through impeding the efforts of law enforcement agencies for the restoration of peace in Balochistan and Karachi, the ISPR said.
The accused had been provided with a defending officer as per legal provisions, the ISPR said.
Experts view the military’s announcement about Jadhav’s trial and prosecution as an unprecedented move, viewing it as a strong message to India as well as other foreign intelligence agencies.
Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti in an interview said he believes the decision is a good one. “There are foreign elements involved in terrorist activities in Balochistan,” he claimed. “I believe this is a good decision.”
Defence analyst Ikram Sehgal agreed with Bugti’s view, saying, “What happened was correct. He confessed his crime, he had people killed… After due process, his punishment should be carried out. India will deny that he was not a spy, but he accepted that he was a spy. He gave full details in his confession of his networks as well.”
“Pakistan has sent a message that if somebody does such activities here, it will hand them severe punishment. Those operating against the state will face a similar fate,” Sehgal added.
INP
