NEW DELHI: India on Friday condemned Pakistan’s expulsion of an Indian Embassy staffer as an “after thought” and said Islamabad continues to be in denial of cross-border terrorism emanating from its territory.
On Thursday in a tit-for-tat action Pakistan declared an Indian Embassy’s Assistant Personnel and Welfare Officer Surjeet Singh persona non-grata and asked him to leave the country by October 29.
"Government notes with regret the Government of Pakistan's decision to declare Surjeet Singh, Assistant Personnel and Welfare Officer in the High Commission of India in Islamabad, persona non grata and expel him and his family members. The Government condemns Pakistan's step.” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
Swarup said that there was no comparison between expulsion of Pakistan Embassy staffer Mahmood Akhtar, who was found involving in espionage and Singh, who has been expelled as an afterthought.
"It is obvious that the step is an afterthought following yesterday's (Thursday) apprehension of Pakistan High Commission staffer Mehmood Akhtar in Delhi while indulging in anti-India activities. Pakistan's action further confirms that it continues to be in denial of its anti-India activities, including cross-border terrorism," Swarup said.
The Pakistan Foreign Secretary had summoned Indian High Commissioner on later Thursday to convey the decision.
In the meantime, Pakistani spy Shoaib, who was detained by Rajasthan Police a day earlier, on Friday was arrested and brought to national capital for further interrogation. He was produced in the city court where has been sent to police custody till November 8. According to officials, Shoaib had come in contact with Maulana Ramzan, one of those arrested on Thursday, around one-and-a-half year ago, who lured the latter to join him in collecting vital information about the installations of army and paramilitary forces in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
On Thursday, after getting a tip-off about the presence of Pakistan High Commission staffer Mehboob Akhtar along with Shoaib, Maulana Ramzan and Subhash Jangir at Delhi Zoo, the Delhi Police had nabbed Akhtar along with Ramzan and Jangir but Shoaib had managed to escape. He was later detained in Rajasthan and sent to Delhi.