Kulbhushan Jadhav was caught red-handed, states Pakistan

Pakistan said today it has “specific information” about Kulbhushan Jadav, asserting that India hasn’t been able to provide a credible explanation for Hussain Mubarak’s passport which was found on Jadhav.

The International Court of Justice will pronounce its judgement on the death sentence of Kulbhushan Jadhav, handed out by a Pakistani military court on Thursday, just 10 days after India approached it. India had approached ICJ demanding immediate suspension of the death sentence given to the former Indian Navy officer after Pakistan accused him of being an Indian spy.

Jadhav, 48, has been accused by Pakistan of espionage and subversive activities for India’s intelligence agency – the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). “We have specific details against Kulbhushan Jadhav,” the Pakistan government said today in a statement, adding,”India has never provided any explanation for Hussain Mubarak’s passport which was found on Jadhav.”

Jadhav was convicted of conducting “subversive activities” for the Indian government in Pakistan and has been sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court on 10 April. Pakistani authorities had reportedly arrested Jadhav in what they termed as a counter intelligence operation in Mashkal, Balochistan on 3 March 2016. He has remained in Pakistan’s custody ever since.

“He crossed over on a fake passport. Our case is very strong,” the Pakistan government declared. “Jadhav was caught on our soil red-handed along with proof,” it said.

The curious case of Kulbhushan Jadhav has seen many twists and turns within a short span of one year since his arrest. While the Pakistani side has repeatedly alleged that Jadhav is a Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) “spy” in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, India had categorically denied Islamabad’s charges.