PIA office in New Delhi vandalised

One suspect arrested; flights to India to remain unaffected

KARACHI/ NEW DELH: An office of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) in New Delhi was attacked by activists of the far-right Hindu Sena group on Thursday.

PIA in a statement said an angry mob stormed its office located near Barakhamba in New Delhi. “An angry mob, raising anti-Pak slogans attacked PIA town office in New Delhi. Damaged computers and property. Police called in,” the airlines said.

A spokesperson for the airlines said the reservations system at the office was not functioning after the mob damaged computers and auxiliary equipment inside. He added that police though promptly arrived at the office and controlled the situation.

A spokesperson for the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi confirmed that all staff at the office remained safe. "We have lodged a protest with the Indian authorities over this incident and asked them to ensure the safety of Pakistani officials and further beef up the security," said Spokesperson Manzoor Memon.



The Foreign Office in a subsequent statement the Indian government had provided assurances that all the necessary steps will be taken for security of PIA offices in India.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police for New Delhi Jatin Narwal confirmed the attack and said that appropriate action will follow. He added that one person had been arrested.

The PIA spokesperson said that despite Thursday’s incident, flights to India will continue as per schedule.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 15^th, 2016.