MEERUT, Feb. 17 -- A Pakistani national convicted of spying was deported to his country after completing a 17-year jail term in India. Authorities transferred him under heavy security from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh to the Attari-Wagah border, where he was handed over to Pakistani officials on Tuesday, a senior officer confirmed.

Iqbal Bhatti, said to be in his 50s, had been released 11 months ago after serving his sentence but remained lodged at a detention centre on the premises of the Gautam Buddh Nagar jail pending deportation formalities. Officials said the process was completed recently, enabling his transfer out of India.

Saharanpur additional superintendent of police (ASP) Manoj Yadav said Bhatti was arrested on August 8, 2008,...