The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has named a Pakistani diplomat in its wanted list, and is to approach the Interpol regarding a red corner notice (RCN) to be issued against him, for allegedly conspiring attacks similar to 26/11 in south India.
The diplomat, Amir Zubair Sidiqqui, served as a visa counsellor in the Pakistani High Commission located in Colombo, and had colluded with two other Pakistani officials to launch attacks on institutions in Chennai and other southern cities. Siddiqui was charged by the NIA in February.
According to a Times of India report, this is the first time that India has named a Pakistani diplomat in its wanted list, and also sought a red corner notice against him.
The TOI report states that the NIA has also sought RCNs against the two other Pakistani officials, who have reportedly been repatriated to Pakistan. Apart from the three officials, a fourth official from Colombo was also involved in the conspiracy.
Quoting the NIA, the TOI report reveals the modus operandi of the group to have involved hiring Sri Lankans to collect information regarding Indian defence operations and arms movement, among other things. The Sri Lankan nationals have reportedly been nabbed by security agencies in New Delhi.
The group planned to attack the US consulate in Chennai, the Israeli consulate in Bengaluru, the Eastern Naval Command headquarters in Visakhapatnam and various other ports, reported TOI.
The diplomats were reportedly identified based on the inputs provided by US intelligence.
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