"The Government of India has declared a Pakistani official, working at the Pakistan High Commission [embassy] in New Delhi, persona non grata for indulging in activities not in keeping with his official status in India. The official has been asked to leave India within 24 hours," the ministry said in a statement.
In this regard, a demarche was issued to Pakistan's charge d'affaires, who was asked to prevent Pakistani diplomats and officials in India from misusing their privileges or status in any way, the statement said.
The persona non grata order was issued shortly after a briefing where a senior Indian military officer informed defense attaches and representatives from nearly 70 countries about India's successful Operation Sindoor, the Times of India newspaper reported.
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated following the terrorist attack near the town of Pahalgam on April 22, which killed 26 people, including a Nepalese citizen. The terrorist-linked Resistance Front insurgent group claimed responsibility for the attack. India blamed the terrorist attack on Pakistan, claiming ties between Islamabad and the terrorists.
On May 7, India launched missile strikes on Pakistan in an operation codenamed Sindoor. The Indian Defense Ministry said that the operation targeted only terrorist infrastructure and not Pakistani military facilities. Pakistani authorities said that Indian strikes resulted in at least 31 fatalities. Military escalation and cross-border attacks followed.
The two countries announced a ceasefire on May 10 but have since accused one another of several violations.