India’s BSF seeks FIR against pigeon from Pakistan

India's Border Security Force has sought registration of an FIR against a winged "intruder" from Pakistan -- a pigeon -- in the northern state of Punjab.

The Punjab Police is seeking legal opinion on this.

The pigeon perched itself on the shoulder of a BSF Jawan at Rorawala border post in Amritsar district last Saturday, apparently after flying from across the border, an official said.

A small piece of paper with a contact number was tied around its leg, the official said, our New Delhi correspondent reports.

The BSF personnel handed over the bird to the police with demand, in writing, for taking legal action.

Amritsar district's Senior Superintendent of Police, Dhruv Dahiya, said the BSF demanded registration of an FIR against the pigeon.

"As the pigeon is a bird, I don't think an FIR can be registered against it. But we have referred the matter to our legal experts for their opinion," he said today.

The number tagged on the pigeon's leg is being analysed, he said.

The pigeon is being kept at Khangarh police station.

Pigeons have been captured in the past near border areas with security forces suspecting espionage attempts. Homing pigeons can be used to courier information, and the tags can carry coded messages.