India on Friday advised its nationals to avoid travelling or being in Pakistan, fearing their persecution in the wake of media reports there that some Indians have been accused of terror attacks and arrested.

The external affairs ministry said while Pakistani media has claimed arrest of several Indian nationals in Lahore and Multan over the last two days, the police have expressed ignorance, indicating that it could be the handiwork of agencies which operate outside the civilian control in that country.

The statement by external affairs ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash came after media reports in Pakistan claimed that Indian nationals Satish Anand Shukla, Ram Kumar, Ram Chandar and Prakash were arrested for a bomb blast in Lahore two days back.

"There have been reports in the Pakistani media that several Indian nationals have been arrested over the last two days in Lahore and Multan and are being accused of being terrorists," he said.

"Since it has also been reported in the Pakistani media yesterday that the senior police officer in Lahore was unaware of the arrest in his city, it seems that this is the work of other agencies in Pakistan that operate outside the law and civilian control," Prakash said.

"Indian citizens are, therefore, advised that it would be unsafe for them to travel or be in Pakistan," Prakash said.

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