India expels another Pak High Commission official, asks him to leave country within 24 hours

On May 13, India expelled a Pakistani official working at the High Commission for allegedly indulging in espionage in India.

This comes amid heightened tensions over India's strikes on terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) called Operation Sindoor and subsequent military escalation between the two countries.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Indian government has declared a Pakistani official, working at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, "persona non grata for indulging in activities not in keeping with his official status in India".

The official has been asked to leave India within 24 hours, it said.

The MEA, however, did not divulge the specific charge against the Pakistani official.

Besides, New Delhi also issued a demarche to the Commission's Charge d'Affaires, asking him to strictly ensure that no Pakistani diplomats or officials working in India "misuse their privileges and status in any manner".

Earlier, a Pakistani official working at the High Commission was expelled for allegedly indulging in espionage. Though the MEA did not reveal the specific charges against him, media reports said the case relates to espionage being probed by the Punjab Police.

On May 11, Punjab Police said it had arrested two people, including a woman, for their alleged involvement in espionage activities linked to a Pakistani official posted at the Pakistani High Commission in Delhi.

In a tit-for-tat move, Pakistan later declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad "persona non grata" for engaging in activities that it termed as "incompatible" with his privileged status.

It also directed the official to leave within 24 hours.

"The Government of Pakistan has declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission, Islamabad, as persona non grata for engaging in activities incompatible with his privileged status," a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Operation Sindoor was a fierce military operation launched by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 tourists who were enjoying their vacation at Baisaran Valley, which is referred to as India's Switzerland.

The operation aimed to dismantle terrorist bases in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

After the Pakistan Army again targeted Indian civilians and resorted to cross-border firing, the Indian Armed Forces retaliated, destroying defence systems of the hostile neighbour.