India expels Pakistan high commission official
Following India’s action, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad “persona non grata for engaging in activities incompatible with his privileged status” and asked the official to leave Pakistan within 24 hours.
“The Indian Charge d’Affaires was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs today for a démarche, conveying this decision,” the Pakistan ministry declared on X.
Sources in the Indian Foreign Ministry said the expelled Pakistani official has been linked to some recent arrests in Punjab. His exit brings down the effective strength of the Pakistan High Commission in Delhi to 29.
The Punjab police on Sunday said it had arrested two persons, including a woman, for their alleged involvement in espionage activities linked to a Pakistani official posted at the Delhi High Commission.
Based on credible intelligence, a suspect was arrested for leaking sensitive information to a Pakistan-based handler regarding Indian Army movements, said DGP, Punjab, Gaurav Yadav. Those arrested were identified as 31-year-old Guzala and Yameen Mohamad, both residents of Malerkotla.
The development came days after the Amritsar Rural Police arrested two persons — Falaksher Masih and Suraj Masih — for their alleged role in leaking sensitive information and photographs of the Army cantonment areas and airbases to Pakistan’s intelligence agency.
India had earlier expelled 25 Pakistan diplomats and officials from its High Commission in New Delhi, reducing their strength from 55 to 30. Officials from Pakistan’s Armed Forces, including their Army, Navy and Air Force, were among those expelled by Delhi.
