The Indian government on Tuesday declared a Pakistani official at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi persona non grata for activities “not in keeping with their official status.” The individual, according to sources, has been identified as a staffer from Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and has been directed to leave India within 24 hours. A demarche was issued to the Charge d’Affaires of the Pakistan High Commission in this regard, a press release by the External Affairs Ministry said.
In a related development, Punjab Police on Sunday arrested two individuals allegedly involved in espionage activities linked to the said Pakistani official. Acting on credible intelligence, one suspect was arrested for leaking sensitive information to a Pakistan-based handler regarding Indian Army movements, said Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav.
Preliminary investigations suggest the two had been receiving money through online channels in exchange for classified inputs.They were in frequent contact with the handler and were involved in channelling funds to other local operatives as per his instructions, he said on Sunday.
Two mobile phones have been recovered, and an FIR has been registered, said the DGP earlier.
