Indian prisoner dies in Pak jail in 'suspicious circumstances'

An Indian national has died in a Pakistani jail in "suspicious" circumstances, leading human rights activist Ansar Burney said today.

Indian national Suraj Singh died in suspicious circumstances at Kot Lakhpat jail in Lahore yesterday, Burney told PTI.

Details about the exact nature of his death were immediately not available. Singh had been in jail for the past one year.

"His body is being sent for an autopsy today. I have demanded that there should be an independent and impartial inquiry into the death," Burney said.

Burney said he would also make arrangements for the body to be sent back speedily to his relatives in India. He also appreciated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's reference in a speech yesterday to problems faced by Indians and Pakistani prisoners being held in the jails in the two countries.

Burney expressed hope that the two countries would take steps to resume the exchange of prisoners