Amid rising hostilities between India and Pakistan, New Delhi has expelled a second official from the Pakistan High Commission within just eight days.
The Indian government stated that the diplomat was involved in activities “not in keeping with his official status,” and directed him to leave the country within 24 hours.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement on Wednesday confirming the expulsion. “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.”
While the MEA refrained from disclosing specific details, the move echoes a similar expulsion on May 13, when another Pakistani official was sent back over allegations of espionage.
These diplomatic actions are unfolding against the backdrop of heightened bilateral tensions following India’s Operation Sindoor—a major strike carried out on the night of May 6–7. The operation targeted nine terror camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), in retaliation for the deadly April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists. The attack was claimed by The Resistance Front, a proxy outfit of the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba.
In addition to the expulsion, India also issued a formal demarche to the Pakistani High Commission’s Charge d'Affaires, urging strict compliance with diplomatic norms. “None of the Pakistani diplomats or officials working in India should misuse their privileges and status in any manner,” the statement emphasised.
Earlier, Punjab Police had linked one of the expelled Pakistani officials to an espionage investigation involving two individuals, including a woman, who was arrested for allegedly working for Pakistan’s intelligence services.
In a reciprocal move, Pakistan declared an Indian High Commission staff member in Islamabad persona non grata, accusing him of “engaging in activities incompatible with his privileged status,” and ordered his departure within 24 hours.
Although a ceasefire agreement was reached on May 10—intended to halt all military activity across land, sea, and air—Pakistan reportedly breached the accord within hours of it coming into effect.