New Delhi: India has expelled a second Pakistani High Commission official within eight days, deepening tensions between the two rival nations, reported by NDTV. The expulsion, announced on Wednesday, comes amid growing strain after India’s military operation, Operation Sindoor, targeted terror bases in Pakistan and Pakistan Adminstrated Kashmir (AJK).
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the expelled diplomat was involved in “activities not in keeping with his official status.” He has been ordered to leave India within 24 hours. Though no detailed charges were revealed, similar past expulsions have involved allegations of espionage.
On May 13, India had expelled another Pakistani official accused of spying. That incident was reportedly linked to a case under investigation by Punjab Police, who had earlier arrested two people, including a woman, for sharing sensitive information with a Pakistani official.
In response to India’s latest move, Pakistan expelled an Indian High Commission staff member in Islamabad, also declaring him “persona non grata” and asking him to leave within 24 hours. Pakistan claimed he was involved in activities that violated his diplomatic privileges.
These diplomatic actions are unfolding in the shadow of Operation Sindoor, launched by India on the night of May 6-7. The mission struck nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK. It was a response to a brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on April 22, which killed 26 tourists. The Resistance Front, a group linked to the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility.
Although both countries agreed on May 10 to halt all military action by land, sea, and air, Pakistan reportedly violated this ceasefire within hours.
The latest tit-for-tat expulsions signal that peace in the region remains fragile, and mistrust continues to cloud India-Pakistan relations.
