India-Pakistan tensions: In a retaliatory move, Pakistan on Thursday expelled an Indian High Commission staffer from Islamabad, just a day after India declared a Pakistani official ”persona non grata’’ related to an alleged espionage case. This move comes as the second diplomatic expulsion in just one week, amid escalating tensions between the two countries.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has earlier mentioned that the Pakistani diplomat was involved in ”activities not in keeping with his official status” and was ordered to leave the country in 24 hours. A similar expulsion took place on May 13 when another Pakistan official was sent back on charges of alleged involvement in espionage.

In response, Pakistan’s Foreign Office issued a statement mentioning the expulsion of an Indian staff member. ”The Government of Pakistan has declared a staff member of the High Commission of India, Islamabad, as persona non grata for engaging in activities inconsistent with his privileged status,” it stated. On a similar basis, the Indian official was also given 24 hours to leave the country.

India-Pakistan diplomatic fallout

The Indian Chargé d’Affaires was also summoned to Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the decision was formally informed. The Pakistani statement cautioned that no Indian diplomat or staff member should misuse their diplomatic privileges.

This diplomatic standoff comes in the ongoing heightened tensions after the deadly Pahalgam terrorist attack, in which 25 civilians were killed. In the counter-back move, India conducted targeted strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7. Pakistan, in response, attempted strikes on military installations for the next three days.

Hostilities were brought under control after military level talks were held between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both neighbours on May 10. The talks resulted in an agreement to halt further military operations.

(More details are awaited.)