India on Wednesday expelled four staffers of the Pakistan high commission, including two diplomats, for indulging in activities beyond their diplomatic status, an euphemism for spying.

The officials are Counsellor Mansoor Saeed Sheikh, First Secretary Mian Mohammed Esif, and staffers Mohammed Tasneem Khan and Sher Mohammed.

India has declared all the four persons non-grata and asked the Pakistan government to withdraw them within 48 hours.

The decision was conveyed to Pakistan's Charge d'Affaires Jalil Abbas Jilani who was summoned to the foreign office.

Asked whether this was a retaliatory move by India for the harassment of its CDA in Islamabad Sudhir Vyas by Pakistani intelligence officials on Tuesday, an Ministry of External Affairs spokesman said, "This is based on evidence we have that they were indulging in activities incompatible with their official status."

He however refused to name the charges levied against the Pakistani officials.

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What do you think about the story? Read what others have to say: Number of User Comments: 17 Sub: Kick them or Kill them I think INDIAN government should not warn but silently kill them if any spy activities are done by the pak. Even they never warned INDIAN ... Posted by krishna Sub: pak staff explled The action taken by the external ministry of govt. of india is 100% justifyed. s.Raj iyer. ... Posted by S.Rajagopalan Sub: Pak high commission staff expelled Dear Sir, I am very-very happy that indian government is taking action against Pakistani high commission people. virender singh Former Indian Indoor Cricket Player Posted by virende singh Sub: pak high commissioner sttaff expelled Action justified. Posted by rastogi27 Sub: Expulsion of Pakistani staff I have one question for all concerned, why we should have diplomatic contacts with a country which is trying everything to disturb normal life in ... Posted by True Indian