New Delhi:
Sarabjit Singh, the Indian who was attacked in a prison in Pakistan where he spent 22 years after being convicted of terrorism, died early this morning at a Lahore hospital after a cardiac arrest. The Indian government expressed "great anguish" over the death of Mr Singh.
Statement from the Ministry of External Affairs:
We express great anguish at the demise of Shri Sarabjit Singh who succumbed to injuries after the brutal attack on him in Kot Lakhpat jail. This was, put simply, the killing of our citizen while in the custody of Pakistan jail authorities. We demand that the Government of Pakistan conducts a thorough investigation to identify those who were responsible, and ensure that they are punished.
We share the pain and sorrow of Sarabjit Singh's family. We have asked the Pakistani authorities to release the body of Sarabjit Singh so that he can be given a funeral in India and among his own people.
The shocking attack on Shri Sarabjit Singh highlights the need for concerted action by Pakistan to safeguard Indians in Pakistani jails.