Two officials of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi were apprehended yesterday by Indian law enforcement authorities for indulging in espionage activities.

The Government has declared both these officials persona non grata for indulging in activities incompatible with their status as members of a diplomatic mission and asked them to leave the country within 24 hours.

In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said Pakistan’s Charge de Affaires was issued a demarche in which a strong protest was lodged with regard to the activities of these officials of the High Commission of Pakistan against India’s national security.

Pakistan’s Charge de Affaires was asked to ensure that no member of its diplomatic mission should indulge in activities inimical to India or behave in a manner incompatible with their diplomatic status, the MEA added.