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 4:35 PM IST
Modi govt shoudn't be politically penalized for exploring peaceful means: Mehbooba Mufti
Urging the Opposition to desist from trying to score political brownie points by criticising the Modi government for exploring peaceful means, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday said the Narendra Modi-led government should not be "politically penalised" for its efforts.
In a series of posts on X, Mufti said that in view of the current situation, the Opposition should rise above party politics and resist the urge for knee-jerk criticism.
She said leaders like former Prime Ministers Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh proved that cross-border engagement is possible even in tense times, without compromising security or sovereignty.
"The Modi government should not be politically penalised for exploring peaceful means. This is a time for bipartisan statesmanship, not division. The opposition must rise above politics and support genuine efforts for peace and stability," Mufti said.
She slammed a section of TV channels for criticising the ceasefire while sitting in of air-conditioned studios while being clueless about the plight of people on the borders affected by such hostilities.
"While fanatic mobs in our country are vandalising shops, bulldozing mosques and digging up graves to punish the long dead Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, across the border his namesake Air Vice Marshal Aurangzeb Ahmed is training his forces for modern air warfare," the PDP chief said.
- 13 May 2025 4:20 PM IST
11 military personnel killed, 78 injured in military confrontation with India: Pakistan
The Pakistan military on Tuesday said it’s that 11 military personnel, including a squadron leader, were killed and 78 others injured during the military confrontation with India.
The announcement comes days after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire understanding, putting a halt to the tit for tat military strikes following India’s Operation Sindoor under which it targeted terror bases in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) and mainland Pakistan.
The statement further alleged that 40 civilians died and 121 others were injured in the "unprovoked and reprehensible dastardly attacks" by India on the night of May 6-7.
While defending the motherland, 11 personnel of Pakistan's armed forces were killed and 78 others were wounded, the Pakistan military said.
In response, the Pakistan Armed Forces "mounted a resolute response under the banner of 'Marka-e-Haq', delivering precise and notch-up retributive strikes through Operation Bunyanum Marsoos," the statement said.
