Islamabad: Tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated further, with both countries expelling each other’s diplomatic personnel this week amid accusations of espionage and activities deemed incompatible with diplomatic norms.

On Tuesday, the Government of Pakistan declared a staff member of the Indian High Commission in Islamabad persona non grata, alleging that the individual was involved in activities "incompatible with his privileged status." The official has been instructed to leave the country within 24 hours, according to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

As part of the protocol, the Indian Charge d'Affaires was summoned to the Foreign Office and handed a formal démarche communicating the decision.

The move came shortly after India expelled a Pakistani official from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi, citing similar reasons. India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that the individual was involved in activities “not in keeping with his official status” and was ordered to leave the country within a day.

The reciprocal expulsions come amid heightened diplomatic tensions following a four-day military confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.