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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Live Updates
- 13 May 2025 3:02 PM IST
Posters seeking info on Pahalgam terrorists appear in South Kashmir
Posters, with messages written in Urdu, have been found in different parts of Rs 20 lakh for information about three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack that left 26 people dead, officials said on Tuesday.
Pasted at several places in the south Kashmir district, the posters have photographs of three terrorists who are believed to have carried out the April 22 in Pahalgam after segregating them on religious lines.
Officials said that the posters sought any information about the involved terrorists and offered a reward of over Rs 20 lakh for such an information.
They sought the people's help in tracing the terrorists, saying "those who killed the innocents do not have a place in our country".
On April 23, police announced a bounty of Rs 20 lakh for information leading to the neutralisation of terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack.
Security agencies had released the sketches of three men suspected to be involved in the terror attack.
- 13 May 2025 2:52 PM IST
Operation Sindoor: Bihar BJP to hold 'Tiranga Yatra'
Ahead of the high stakes Assembly elections in Bihar the state BJP wil launch the 'Tiranga Yatra' on Wednesday to celebrate the success of Operation Sindoor.
Speaking to reporters, state BJP president Dilip Jaiswal said that the yatra will be held in all divisions of the state on Thursday, and from Friday, it will be organised at the block level.
"Operation Sindoor is a clear demonstration of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's resolve to eliminate terrorists in their safe havens," he said.
"All party MPs, legislators, district presidents and block presidents will coordinate the 'Tiranga Yatra' in their respective areas and constituencies. Senior party leaders will lead the processions throughout the state till May 23," he added.
Jaiswal said that through the programme, the BJP will reach out to the people to raise awareness about Operation Sindoor and its significance for the country's security and sovereignty.
- 13 May 2025 2:39 PM IST
Flight operations resume at Srinagar airport
Days after the intense military stand off between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor, flight operations resumed at the Srinagar International Airport on Tuesday afternoon, officials said. However, several flights to and from the Kashmir Valley were delayed, while some airlines have already announced cancellations for the day.
The Srinagar airport, along with 31 airports across the border states, were temporarily closed since May 9 due to the military standoff between India and Pakistan.
The decision to resume flight operations in Srinagar followed the Airports Authority of India's announcement on Monday regarding the resumption of civilian flights at these airports.
- 13 May 2025 2:24 PM IST
Opposition shouldn't end up opposing the military while trying to oppose Modi : Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Amid persistent demands by the Opposition especially from Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for a special session of Parliament or an all-party meeting on Operation Sindoor, Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Tuesday the Opposition in its effort oppose Prime Minister Narendra Modi should not end up opposing the country and the armed forces.
Speaking to reporters, the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister said that the terrorists killed 26 tourists in Pahalgam nd in response India destroyed their bases in Pakistan.
As for Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel seeking answers from the government over the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor, the Union Minister said that no part of Pakistan was too far for India.
"The entire country is feeling proud (of Operation Sindoor). Pakistan launched drones which were blown away like straw. I salute the valour of our brave armed forces and their marksmanship. No part of Pakistan was too far from our targets,” he said.
"They (terrorists) destroyed `sindoor' (killed husbands of Indian women in Pahalgam), we destroyed terrorism bases....While opposing PM Modi, the opposition should not start opposing our army and the country," he added.
