ISLAMABAD – Violent scuffle between a Saudi embassy official and the Airport Security Force (ASF) personnel, followed by exchange of harsh words and 'threats', prompted the Pakistani authorities to jump into action amidst apologies rendered and assurances given to the diplomatic mission for a 'concrete' action against the 'culprits'.Taking 'notice' of the incident, Defence Secretary Nargis Sethi instructed ASF Director General Brigadier Azam Tiwana to submit an initial report on the incident within 24 hours and a detailed report by this Sunday, sources in the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.According to details, Saeed Al Shaheeri, reportedly a Saudi military official, was to board Saudi Airline's Riyadh-bound flight No SV 732, scheduled to depart from the Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIA) Islamabad at 6 pm on Thursday. After clearing the International Departure Lounge, the Saudi official was proceeding to the Briefing Area after acquiring his boarding pass when an ASF security sub inspector, identified as Imran, stopped him and asked for the security check of a blue coloured bag he was carrying along, the ASF sources said.This, officials said, fumed the Saudi national, who refused to allow the security check of his belongings insisting that he, being a foreign 'dignitary’, was 'immune' to search and scrutiny at the airport. Reportedly, after exchange of harsh words, Al Shaheeri punched the ASF official and knocked him down, thus inviting the 'wrath' of his colleagues, who were reported to have beaten the Saudi official 'black and blue’.Saudi Ambassador to Pakistan Abdul Aziz Ibrahim Al-Ghadeer reached the airport within ten to fifteen minutes after the incident and contacted Pakistan's top government functionaries to register a 'strong protest' over the incident.When contacted by phone, ASF DG Azam Tiwana refused to comment on the issue or share relevant details, saying that he could give his version on the subject only after receiving complete details."It's very unfortunate incident. An inquiry is going on to ascertain why it happened," he said, adding that the details of the inquiry would be out shortly.The ASF's Chief Security Officer (CSO) at the airport, Lt-Col Abid Hussain, was reached at his cellular phone, but he was not available for comments.The Saudi Embassy's Spokesperson and Head of Media Affairs, Saleh Al-Mugheeri, accused the ASF men of 'highhandedness' to 'create a violent scene'. "This would not have happened had the ASF men learned to show some respect to foreigners and 'dignitaries'.  Their highhandedness really created a violent scene." Mugheeri refused to disclose the official status of the Saudi man involved in the incident, but insisted that he was 'immune' to security checks."Our guy had a diplomatic passport. He was not checked at the main entrance of the airport, but why was he intercepted at the Briefing Area? He was not to be checked like this. We're thankful to Pakistani defence minister and defence secretary for personally apologising over the incident. We hope strict action would be taken against those responsible for beating an 'innocent' man," he said confirming apologies from Pakistan's top defence brass.Military sources said Shaheeri was part of the Saudi Arabia's military delegation that had arrived in Pakistan to participate in the Saudi-Pak joint military exercise Al-Samsaam IV in October last year."He was working in Saudi defence attache' office and was leaving for homeland on an official leave," sources told this newspaper, claiming that military men did not have any diplomatic immunity from security checks at Pakistani airports. "Only VIP military delegations are exempted," officials further said.