New Delhi, May 13 (UNI) Caught for spying, a staff of the Pakistani High Commission was today declared as persona non grata and asked to leave India within 24 hours.

The MEA said in a statement:

“The Government of India 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.

“Charge d’ Affaires, Pakistan High Commission, was issued a demarche to this effect today.”

The person is a staffer at the Pakistani High Commission and not an officer.

The action comes a day after Malerkotla police on Sunday arrested two persons including 31-year-old woman for their alleged involvement in espionage activities linked to a Pakistani official posted at the High Commission in Delhi.

Those arrested have been identified as Guzala and Yameen Mohamad, both residents of Malerkotla. Police have also recovered two mobile phones from their possession.

The arrests come after the Amritsar Rural Police earlier nabbed two persons — Falaksher Masih and Suraj Masih — for their alleged role in leaking sensitive information and photographs of the army cantonment areas and air bases to Pakistan’s intelligence agency.

Police said the accused had been receiving payments through online transactions in exchange for sharing classified information.

India’s latest action comes amid stoppage of hostilities with Pakistan, in the wake of Operation Sindoor.

UNI RN