New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Thursday arrested a Pakistan national, Mehmood Akhtar, working at the country's High Commission in the national capital on charges of espionage, and was declared a persona non grata. He was also asked to leave the country within 48 hours.
New Delhi informed Pakistan's high commissioner, the top Pakistani diplomat in the country, that embassy staff member Mehmood Akhtar had until Oct. 29 to leave the country, the ministry said in a statement.
Pak High Commission staffer Mehmood Akhtar has been declared persona non grata for espionage activities, given 48 hours to leave India: MEA pic.twitter.com/vRlE3L4N8J— ANI (@ANI_news) October 27, 2016
The Crime Branch has also arrested two persons, residents of Rajasthan, for allegedly passing on sensitive information to the staffer.
A Delhi Court has sent both Pakistani spies to 12 days of police remand.
Mehmood Akhtar was intercepted by Delhi police on Wednesday while he was receiving sensitive documents pertaining to national security of India, according to Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
He was let off after interrogation within hours owing to his diplomatic immunity and has been told to return to Pakistan immediately.
Addressing the media on Thursday post the arrest, Delhi Police said that Mehmood Akhtar was under watch for almost six months now and was held with classified documents and maps related to Indian Army's defence positions.
The MEA, categorically denying that Akhtar was manhandled, said that "he was treated with courtesy befitting his diplomatic status".
Responding to the Pakistan denial, the MEA said: "The denial by Pakistan is something which has by now become quiet characteristic."
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