As many as 54 defence personnel, including a BSF trooper, missing since the 1965 and 1971 wars are believed to be in the custody of Pakistan, Defence Minister A.K.Antony said on Tuesday.
In reply to a written query in Lok Sabha, he said, “Fifty four missing defence personnel of 1965 and 1971 wars (including one from BSF) are believed to be in the custody in Pakistan.”
He said the government has repeatedly been taking up the matter with the Pakistan government but “it does not acknowledge presence of any such personnel in its custody“.
Mr. Antony said a delegation of 14 relatives of missing defence personnel also visited 10 jails in Pakistan during June 1 - June 14 in 2007.
The delegation, however, could not conclusively confirm the physical presence of any missing defence personnel, he said.
