Man demands return of ‘spy’ pigeon detained in India

SIALKOT: A man has claimed to be the rightful owner of a pigeon supposedly held by Indian authorities for allegedly being used for spying.

The villager named Habibullah is a resident of Bagga-Shakargarh village, situated four kilometres along the Working Boundary. The man has refuted Indian allegations and said he used the pigeon to send messages on Eid.

Indian media reported that Border Security forces (BSF) had ‘arrested’ a pigeon with a pink patch and tag on its leg. A complaint was lodged at a local police stating against the ‘Pakistani spy pigeon’ which was found by a woman in Kathua sector along the disputed border.

Habibullah rejected the allegations saying the pigeon was a pet and the second one of the pair was with him. He said that he has a passion for pigeons and owns about 250 of them, while he released a dozen of them that day.

“I have almost 250 pigeons and have been keeping pigeons for the last 30 years or so. I just want my Golden Madi back so that she can participate in pigeon competition due to take place on Thursday,” he said.

He said that he flew several pigeons on Eid to celebrate the occasion in his village and had rings fixed on the feet of the pigeons. He also claimed that his mobile number was inscribed on the rings which can be verified by Indian authorities.

He said the pigeon was an innocent bird and a symbol of peace but the Indians had declared his pigeon a Pakistani spy and terrorist. He demanded Indian Prime Minister Modi to return his pigeon with “full honours and respect.”

“Neither anyone from India nor from Pakistan has contacted me over this spy row. If we can return Indian pilot, India can also return my pigeon with respect,” he said, while demanding an apology from Indian authorities.

He warned to stage a protest at the border if his demand was not fulfilled. He said India should avoid such tactics and “refrain from victimising innocent birds”.

This is not the first time a pigeon flying from Pakistan has landed in trouble with Indian officials. In May 2015, a white pigeon was arrested after it was spotted by a 14-year-old boy in a village close to the border.