Sarabjit's body arrives in India; state funeral Friday

AMRITSAR: Indian death row prisoner and convicted spy Sarabjit Singh's body was brought to India after he died in a Pakistani hospital early Thursday, succumbing to his injuries six days after being attacked by his fellow inmates in a jail and pushing the India-Pakistan equation to a new low.

The aircraft carrying the body landed here almost one hour behind expected time after Pakistani customs and anti-narcotics departments delayed its departure from the Lahore international airport. The flight was held up as clearances were sought before allowing it to take off.

The flight landed at Guru Ram Das Rajasansi international airport near here just minutes later.

The body was received by Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur and other top leaders, including Punjab Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia at the airport.

Authorities are likely to fly the body on a helicopter to Bhikhiwind town, 50 km from here. They will decide whether to get a post-mortem conducted.

Sarabjit succumbed to injuries sustained in a brutal attack by fellow prisoners inside Lahore's Kot Lakhpat jail April 26.