In a significant diplomatic move amid growing tensions with Pakistan, India on Tuesday expelled a staffer from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, citing alleged involvement in an espionage ring operating out of Punjab. The expulsion comes on the heels of two arrests made by Punjab Police for leaking sensitive military information to Pakistani handlers.
According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Pakistani staffer was declared “persona non grata” for engaging in activities “not in keeping with his official status in India.” The MEA did not disclose the staffer’s identity or the specifics of the activities but confirmed that he was instructed to leave the country within 24 hours.
The charge d’affaires of the Pakistan High Commission, Saad Warraich, was summoned and issued a demarche—a formal diplomatic protest—underscoring the seriousness with which India views this breach of protocol.
Espionage Network Busted in Punjab
The move follows a crackdown by Punjab Police, who on May 11 announced the arrest of two individuals allegedly linked to a Pakistani official stationed at the New Delhi High Commission.
Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the arrests were based on “credible intelligence” indicating that sensitive information related to the Indian Army’s movements was being funneled to a Pakistani handler.
One of the arrested individuals reportedly passed classified data to his contact across the border, and further interrogation led to the capture of a second operative involved in the same network. The police revealed that the accused had received money through digital transactions in exchange for the information and were in “frequent and sustained contact” with the Pakistani handler.
“These individuals weren’t just sharing information. They were also responsible for disbursing funds to other operatives on the handler’s instructions,” DGP Yadav said, describing the operation as part of a “well-coordinated and well-funded” espionage network.
Fallout of the Pahalgam Terror Attack
This development also comes in the shadow of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. The brutal attack prompted a flurry of strong retaliatory measures from India, including:
- The expulsion of all three defence attachés from the Pakistan High Commission.
- A directive to reduce diplomatic staff strength in each other’s capitals from 55 to 30.
- Economic and bilateral restrictions aimed at tightening pressure on Islamabad.
The diplomatic fallout is being seen as part of a broader Indian strategy to signal zero tolerance toward cross-border terrorism and intelligence activities that undermine national security.
India’s Stern Message
While India has not directly linked the espionage arrests to the Pahalgam terror attack, the proximity in timing and the firm diplomatic response suggest a calibrated effort to send a stern message. The MEA’s decision to expel a diplomatic staffer underscores India’s unwillingness to allow Pakistan-based elements to exploit diplomatic privileges for hostile activities.
This is not the first time India has expelled a Pakistani diplomat over espionage charges, but the present context—layered with the trauma of a terror attack and the arrests of espionage operatives—adds a sharper edge to the government’s actions.
As of now, Pakistan has not issued an official response to the expulsion. However, analysts expect Islamabad to issue a reciprocal measure in the coming days, possibly expelling an Indian diplomat in return—a familiar tit-for-tat in the strained history of Indo-Pak relations.
With this latest chapter, diplomatic ties between the two nations appear to be entering another frostier phase, with trust at an all-time low and public opinion hardened on both sides. As New Delhi continues its internal crackdown and tightens its external posture, the spotlight remains firmly on Pakistan’s role in fostering elements that challenge regional peace and security.
