Pakistan announced it was expelling a staff member from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. This action comes after India expelled a Pakistani official working at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on charges of espionage.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the Pakistani staffer has been declared "persona non grata" because he was involved in activities "not in keeping with his official status". The official has been given 24 hours to leave India. This is the second such expulsion by India in just one week. Earlier on May 13, India had expelled another Pakistani official for allegedly spying.

Following India’s decision, Pakistan took similar steps. According to a statement from the Foreign Office, "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. The concerned official has been directed to leave Pakistan within 24 hours." The Indian Chargé d'Affaires was called to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to receive this decision.

The statement also stressed that "none of the diplomats or staff members of the Indian High Commission should misuse their privileges and status in any manner."

Tensions rise after Pahalgam attack and military actions

The tension between India and Pakistan increased after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 people were killed. In response, India carried out precise strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7.

Pakistan tried to attack Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10, but India responded strongly to these attacks. The fighting stopped after talks between the military leaders of both countries on May 10 agreed to halt military actions.

This back-and-forth between India and Pakistan has added to the already strained relations between the two neighbours, with both sides accusing each other of spying and other hostile actions. The recent expulsions of diplomatic staff show how tensions remain high even after the ceasefire agreement.

This article is based on reports from PTI.

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