Espionage racket: Pak HC staffer Mehmood Akhtar asked to leave India within 48 hrs, MEA says he came on ISI deputation in 2013

Hours after India declared a Pakistan High Commission staffer Mehmood Akhtar as persona non-grata for espionage activities, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup revealed some details about him.

Akhtar was caught by Delhi Police with sensitive defence documents including deployment details of BSF along the Indo-Pak border.

Excerpts from Vikas Swarup's press conference on Pak HC staffer's involvmenet in espionage-

#If today Pak is feeling isolated, it's because of its misguided policies; People of Pak should urge govt to adopt policies that favour peace

#Denial that has come out from Pak (on Mehmood Akhtar), would say that this is something which has by now become quiet characteristic

#Mehmood Akhtar stated that he had joined Baloch regiment of Pak army in 1997, came on deputation to ISI in 2013.

#When Mehmood Akhtar was handed over to the Pak High Commissioner in the presence of MEA official, he himself said he was treated well.

#Mehmood Akhtar was posted in Sep 2013 to Pak High Commision, where he's currently working.

#In fact it was Mehmood Akhtar who resorted to subterfuge by concealing his real identity.

ALSO READ | Pakistan High Commission official detained for his alleged involvement in an espionage ring

#Mehmood Akhtar stated that he had joined Baloch regiment of Pak army in 1997, came on deputation to ISI in 2013.

#Categorically deny this,he was treated with courtesy befitting his diplomatic status: MEA on allegations of Mehmood Akhtar being manhandled

#Mehmood Akhtar was intercepted by Delhi police y'day while he was receiving sensitive documents pertaining to national securityof India.

#Pak High Commission staffer Mehmood Akhtar has been declared persona non grata for espionage activities, given 48 hours to leave India.

Read More | Defence-related espionage racket: India asks Pak high commission staffer to leave with family within 48 hrs

Earlier on Thursday, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar summoned Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit to his office to convey India’s action following brief detention of the staffer who was later released.

“Foreign Secretary summoned Pak High Commissioner to convey that Pak High Commission staffer has been declared persona non grata for espionage activities,” said Vikas Swarup, spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs.

Basit strongly protested with Indian Foreign Secretary the “detention and manhandling” of Pakistan High Commission staffer yesterday in violation of 1961 Vienna Convention, according to Pakistan Foreign Office.

The Pakistani envoy also strongly rejected the accusations, terming them “false and unsubstantiated”.

Acting on inputs, Delhi Police crime branch took the staffer identified as Mehmood Akhtar in custody after he was found in possession of certain defence documents. Akhtar was released after questioning as he enjoys diplomatic immunity, police said.

The crime branch has also arrested two persons, residents of Rajasthan, for allegedly passing on sensitive information to Akhtar, they said.

“The alleged spies are residents of Rajasthan working for Pakistan’s ISI. They were in touch with the staff here at Pakistan High Commission and were providing sensitive information,” said a senior police officer.

Those arrested have been identified as Maulana Ramzan and Subhash Jangir, he said. 

(With PTI inputs)