We did not send Surjeet Singh to spy: home secy

Union home secretary RK Singh today said that Surjeet Singh, who was released by Pakistan yesterday, was not a Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) agent.

Union home secretary RK Singh on Friday said that Surjeet Singh, who was released by Pakistan on Thursday, was not a Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) agent.

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Surjeet Singh had said on Thursday that he had been sent to Pakistan to spy for India.

Surjeet served a life term following his arrest on charges of spying in the 1980s in Pakistan. In 1985, he was given the death sentence, which was commuted to life imprisonment in 1989 by then Pakistan President Ghulam Ishaq Khan.

Minutes after returning, at a press meet, Surjeet was asked about the reasons for which he went to Pakistan, and he first said, "Why do you people want me to speak about such things?" Pressed, he revealed that he had gone for "jasoosi" (spying).

He named the RAW as his handler, and then said the army had sent him.

Promptly, border officials took him away to complete formalities, and he left with family and friends for the Golden Temple in Amritsar.