Question : STOLEN OF NIAZI`S PISTOL

(a) whether a pistol of Pakistani Commander Lt. General A.A.K. Niazi which was handed over to the Indian Army at Dhaka at the time of surrender during the Indo-Pak war in 1971, has been stolen from the Naval Gallery in the National Museum in Delhi;

(b) whether the Naval Gallery is guarded by the Naval personnel;

(c) if so, whether the Government have made any inquiry into the lapses in the security arrangements leading to the theft of the pistol;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the action taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)

(a) No, Sir. The pistol, which was stolen recently from the National Museum, was the personal weapon of Rear Admiral Mohammad Sharif, Flag Officer Commanding of the then East Pakistan Naval Forces.

(b) No, Sir. The security of the National Museum is provided by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). The Naval personnel are posted at the Naval Gallery to act as information guide.

(c) to (e): The matter is under investigation by Delhi Police.