'Onus on Pak to ensure Rajnath's security'

India has put the onus on Pakistan to ensure security of Home Minister Rajnath Singh during his visit to Islamabad, following threats by Hizbul Mujahideen and Lashkar-e-Toiba.

Singh is set to represent India in the meeting of the Home or Interior Ministers of Saarc nations in Islamabad. The terror organisations based in the neighbouring country threatened to protest Singh’s visit to Islamabad in order to denounce atrocities on Kashmiris by security forces in India.

New Delhi, however, on Monday reaffirmed that the home minister would attend the meet to be hosted by Pakistan. Sources said India had taken note of the comments made by Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin and Lashkar-e-Toiba founder Hafiz Saeed on the proposed visit by Singh to Pakistan.

“It is the responsibility of the government of the host nation to ensure security of the visiting dignitaries and the delegations,” an official said in New Delhi, making it clear that the onus of ensuring security of Singh was on the Government of Pakistan.

Singh is unlikely to hold a bilateral meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan during his visit to Islamabad.