Pak cautions its citizens over travelling to India

Pakistan on Tuesday advised its citizens travelling to India to exercise "due caution" following reports that their security "may be in jeopardy".

"The government of Pakistan wishes to advise its citizens who are planning to travel to India to exercise due caution and care while travelling to various parts of India," said a statement issued by the foreign office.

The statement said there were "some disturbing reports in the Indian media which indicate that the safety and security of Pakistani visitors to India, including that of over 600 Zaireen (pilgrims) scheduled to visit Ajmer Sharif for the annual Urs this month, may be in jeopardy".

The statement did not give details about these media reports.

The advisory was issued days after a Pakistani prisoner, Sanaullah Ranjay, was severely assaulted in a jail in Jammu.

Ranjay was attacked soon after Indian death row prisoner Sarabjit Singh died in Lahore following a brutal assault in Kot Lakhpat Jail.

The two incidents triggered fresh tensions between the two countries.

Earlier this year, bilateral relations were hit by a string of violations of the ceasefire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The government of Pakistan would also call upon the government of India to ensure that necessary arrangements are in place to provide full protection to all Pakistani visitors to India," the statement said.

Image: A Pakistani soldier stands guard at the Wagah border

Photograph: Mohsin Raza/Reuters