14 May Islamabad, Pakistan: Pakistan and India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has announced a senior official of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi as “persona non grata” and ordered his expulsion for suspected espionage activities. The unidentified official was given 24 hours to leave India, as communicated to Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires, Saad Warraich, in the form of a formal demarche.
“The Government of India has announced a Pakistani official serving at the High Commission as persona non grata for indulging in activities not consistent with his diplomatic position,” the MEA said without explaining the acts.”.
Sources informed The Hindu that the expelled diplomat had connections with two persons who have been arrested by Punjab Police on charges of releasing sensitive information related to Indian Army movements to Pakistan. These arrests have taken place against the background of heightened deployment of military on the India-Pakistan border post May 7.
On May 11, Punjab Police announced that the accused were sharing sensitive information to a “Pakistan-based handler” and collecting payments online. The police have launched further investigations and filed an FIR, seeking to find a larger network of local operatives.
“This operation is an important milestone in breaking up cross-border espionage networks and demonstrates our dedication to national security,” the Punjab Police said.
Pakistan has not yet given an official reaction to the expulsion. India had previously expelled Pakistani defence officials and cut down the number of employees at the Pakistani mission after the terror attack at Pahalgam on April 22, with Pakistan responding in kind.
Despite a ceasefire agreement reinstated on May 10, relations between Delhi and Islamabad remain tense. On May 13, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s May 12 speech, in which he lauded Operation Sindoor and warned that any future cross-border terrorism would trigger military retaliation.
FOR MORE NEWS VISIT QUESTIQA.IN
