Indian authorities said they released a pigeon on Thursday suspected of being a spy for Pakistan. The bird actually belonged to a Pakistani fisherman named Habibullah, who lives near the border between the two countries and is a fan of pigeon racing, reports Reuters . The animal had been intercepted a few days before after crossing the Kashmir region between India and Pakistan.
A series of figures found on the pigeon's legs sowed doubt among the Indian officers present at the border. The latter considered the possibility that these were codes exchanged between groups of activists. "We detained the bird to investigate and verify that it was not used in espionage activities," a senior official told the news agency.
Prime Minister has been asked
The registrations were in fact the mobile phone number of the owner of the bird, necessary for his return if the latter was lost. During pigeon races, it happens that they do not return to their master. "The pigeon has been released" because no suspicious material was found, said Shailendra Mishra, an officer in the Kashmir police.
However, he did not specify whether the animal was handed over to its owner. The latter had explained that it was "only an innocent bird". Habibullah even went so far as to address Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "I appeal to the Prime Minister to find my pigeon who crossed the border during a training session for a competition," argued the Pakistani.
World
Russian accused of spying 18 years in prison accused of spying
Justice
Spying on employees: Ikea and several ex-managers dismissed in correctional
- Unusual
- World
- Pakistan
- India
- Spying
- Pigeon