A group, allegedly owing allegiance to the Shiv Sena, targeted Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) office on Barakhamba Road in New Delhi on Sunday. Apprehending violence, the airline officials have sought security.
The PIA office on the fifth and sixth floor of Narain Manzil was closed when suspected Shiv Sena activists struck around 5:30pm on Sunday. They painted the office signboards and glass doors in black and fled from the spot, leaving behind a bunch of pamphlets telling the PIA management to shut office immediately.
The incident came to light around 9am on Monday when the PIA officials reported to work and discovered the vandalised signboards. When they entered the office premises, they found pamphlets scattered inside. Through the pamphlets the Delhi unit of Shiv Sena threatened to target offices of Pakistani agencies to protest against the killing of Indian soldiers and ceasefire violations by Pakistani forces along the LoC.
“Till Pakistan stops ceasefire violations and attacking Indian soldiers, we will not allow its offices to function in the country,” said the pamphlet.
In a complaint lodged with the police, airline manager Gulam Mustafa Sheikh said the PIA office was closed for two days for Eid celebrations.
“Based on the findings, we have registered a case under the Prevention of Defacement of Property Act and Section 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code,” said a police officer, adding that investigations have been initiated to ascertain the identities of those involved in the incident.
The police have also obtained the CCTV footage which captured activities of the suspected Delhi Shiv Sena activists.