India on Tuesday summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit and issued “strong demarche” over recurring incidents of cross-border terrorism which the government believes is being supported by Pakistan.

“Foreign Secretary Jaishankar called the Pakistan High Commissioner Basit and issued strong demarche on continuing cross border terrorism from Pakistan,” tweeted Vikas Swarup, Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

According to a press release issued later by the MEA, Jaishankar raised the issue of a Pakistani national Bahadur Ali, who is also militant with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT).

Ali had infiltrated into India and was “receiving instructions to attack Indian security personnel and carry out other terrorist attacks in India” from LeT operatives based out of Pakistan, the release said.

“The government of India strongly protests against the continued infiltration from Pakistan of trained terrorists with instructions to carry out attacks. This is contrary to assurances given by the Pakistani leaders at the highest level,” MEA said.

Post his arrest, Ali has made a confession and in a letter to Basit requested legal aid and assistance to meet his family.

He was arrested with weapons such as AK-47 rifle, live rounds, grenades and grenade launchers. He was also carrying sophisticated communication equipment and other material of Pakistani/international origin, the release stated.

“Bahadur Ali has confessed to our authorities that after training in Lashkar-e-Toiba camps, he was infiltrated into India. He was thereafter in touch with an ‘operations room’ of LeT, receiving instructions to attack Indian security personnel and carry out other terrorist attacks in India,” MEA said.

Meanwhile, India has also stated that it will grant the Pakistan High Commission consular access to Bahadur Ali.

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