Operation Sindoor LIVE: Pak official expelled; asked to leave in 24 hours
Though the MEA did not divulge specific charges against the Pakistani national, it is learnt that they are related to a case of espionage
India on Tuesday (May 13) expelled a Pakistani official working at the Pakistan High Commission for allegedly indulging in alleged espionage.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the official was indulging in activities not in keeping with his official status in India and that he has been given 24 hours to leave the country.
The action came amid heightened tension between the two countries following their four-day military confrontation.
India also issued a demarche to Pakistani Charge d' Affaires in New Delhi on the activities of the official.
Spying angle?
Though the MEA did not divulge the specific charges against the Pakistani national, it is learnt that they are related to a case of espionage being probed by Punjab Police. "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 MEA said.
"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," it said.
Punjab Police on Sunday said it has arrested two persons, including a woman, for their alleged involvement in espionage activities linked to a Pakistani official posted at the Pakistani High Commission in Delhi.
Based on credible intelligence, a suspect was arrested for leaking sensitive information to a Pakistan-based handler regarding Indian Army movements, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said.
The development came days after 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 air bases to Pakistan's intelligence agency, according local officials.
Yadav said the accused had been receiving payments through online transactions in exchange for sharing classified information.
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- 13 May 2025 10:01 PM IST
JK: Almost 10,000 bunkers built in border areas
Asserting that 9,500 bunkers have been set up along India-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday reached out to shelling-affected people along the Line of Control in Rajouri district and said that more bunkers would be constructed for the safety of border dwellers.
The chief secretary said that Pakistan has resorted to shelling in the civilian areas, causing huge damage to livestock and properties.
Asserting that there is a need for more bunkers along the borderline, Dulloo said, "I want to tell you that 9,500 bunkers are there along the borderline in J&K." "There is more demand for bunkers and more bunkers will be constructed. There will be no shortfall of bunkers," he told reporters in Rajouri.
- 13 May 2025 9:54 PM IST
Pakistan slams India's remarks
Pakistan on Tuesday reiterated its commitment to stand by the ceasefire arrangement even as it criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks during his address to the nation.
In his first address to the nation after Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Modi on Monday sternly warned Pakistan that India will not succumb to nuclear blackmail and sent a clear message to the world: terror and trade, terror and talks cannot go together.
Pakistan categorically rejects the "provocative" assertions made by the Indian Prime Minister in his address, the Foreign Office said in a statement Tuesday.
It said that at a time when international efforts are being made for regional peace and stability, his comments have the potential to escalate the situation.
"Pakistan remains committed to the recent ceasefire understanding and taking necessary steps towards de-escalation and regional stability," it claimed.
India carried out precision strikes under 'Operation Sindoor' on terror infrastructure early on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. Following the Indian action, Pakistan attempted to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9 and 10.
India and Pakistan reached an understanding on Saturday to end the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes.
- 13 May 2025 8:56 PM IST
UP: Over 40 FIRs lodged over misleading posts on Operation Sindoor
Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday said it has registered FIR against 40 social media accounts and arrested 25 people for spreading anti-national content and misleading posts related to Operation Sindoor.
Acting on the directions of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Director General of Police Prashant Kumar instructed officials to identify individuals disseminating false or provocative information online and take strict legal action against them.
A special team under the close supervision of Additional Director General (Law & Order) Amitabh Yash has been conducting round-the-clock monitoring of various social media platforms from the police headquarters' social media centre, it said.
"So far, 40 accounts have been identified and FIRs have been registered against them in respective districts. A total of 25 individuals have been arrested," the statement said.
Efforts are also underway to block all 40 accounts through the cyber crime headquarters, it added.
- 13 May 2025 8:39 PM IST
Govt declares Pak official at Pakistan High Commission persona non grata
"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," stated the MEA release.
- 13 May 2025 8:27 PM IST
If she was alive would have asked Indira Gandhi why she didn't take back PoK in Shimla agreement: Assam CM
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday said that had former prime minister Indira Gandhi been alive today, he would have asked her why she did not take back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the Shimla Agreement or expand the Chicken's Neck corridor following India's victory in the 1971 war.
Addressing a press conference here, Sarma asserted that the Congress has no right to question Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding the ceasefire with Pakistan, announced by both nations.
"Our army had won the 1971 war. Had Indira Gandhi been alive today, I would have asked her why she allowed the creation of an Islamic republic in our next door. Why did she not take back PoK in the Shimla Agreement? "Why didn't she expand the Chicken's Neck corridor by negotiating for 100 more kilometres from Bangladesh to better connect Northeast with the rest of India?" he asked.
Sarma alleged that Gandhi had converted a win of the Indian Armed Forces into her personal victory to become a "secular leader".
"They (Pakistan) had surrendered. It was a surrendered nation. You (Gandhi) could have asked them to give back PoK. You could have said that Northeast should have proper access to Chittagong port.
"You could have put a condition that Chicken's Neck will not be allowed and give 100 kilometres more so that we can mitigate the deadlock in Chicken's Neck. Have they done anything?" he added.
Defending the current ceasefire with Pakistan, Sarma said the objective of 'Operation Sindoor' was to punish and dismantle the terror network, and it was achieved successfully on the night of May 6 and the morning of May 7 itself.
"After that, Pakistan retaliated on behalf of the terrorists and India responded to them very bravely. When Pakistan realised that if they continued, they would be massacred and nothing would be left. Then they contacted our DGMO.
