The Hindu : Front Page : Shorter stint for Indian diplomats in Pakistan

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Friday, Oct 24, 2008
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Shorter stint for Indian diplomats in Pakistan

Nirupama Subramanian

Diplomats and their families told to restrict movement
U.N. personnel asked to send back their children

ISLAMABAD: The tense security in Pakistan’s capital has forced India to offer its diplomats and officials posted here the option of a two-year stint instead of the usual three years.

Eventually, Pakistan is to become a “no children” posting for Indian officials, diplomatic sources said.

Last month’s attack on the Marriott hotel, in which at least six foreigners, including the Czech ambassador and a Danish official, were killed, has forced a serious rethink about security among diplomats based in Pakistan.

The U.N. has already asked its personnel to send back their children, which in many cases has meant that spouses leave too. The U.S. has put out an advisory barring all employees at its embassy and in general all American citizens, from staying in big hotels in the four main cities – Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar – or even visiting these hotels.

The Indian High Commission has also asked officials and their families to restrict their movements. Many Indian families live in the neighbourhood of the hotel, which was traditionally considered the most secure.

The explosion broke windows, and shattered glass in the homes of some Indian officials. At one home, a door blew off its hinges. Earlier, the blast at the Danish embassy shattered every glass door and window in the home of the Indian High Commissioner next door.

Media reports about explosives-loaded cars, ambulances and even military flag cars on the prowl in the capital, looking for the right target, have increased the insecurity and unease of all residents. The international community, which has been targeted in several terrorist attacks in Pakistan, feels particularly vulnerable.

A recent report warning that militants were planning to kidnap diplomats of “sensitive countries” has set off more jitters.

Checkpoints manned by police and paramilitaries have sprung up in many parts of the city, but these have given no confidence that the government can prevent another attack; rather, the checkpoints have created a sense of siege among the people and added to the overall panic.

On Wednesday, a U.N. security advisory circulated by SMS to all diplomatic personnel and their families asked them to avoid a popular shopping area for one week as a suicide attack was expected, particularly targeting restaurants. The advisory has set off panic and uncertainty.

The Indian High Commission decision could see off, by the middle of next year, many of the present lot of officials posted here. They will be replaced by those who have no children or at least none that will accompany them, the sources said.

The change would take place gradually over a span of about 10 months.

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