NEW DELHI: A staffer of the Pakistan high commission, who was detained by police for alleged
possession of sensitive defence documents and was immediately declared persona non-grata, has been asked to leave India within 48 hours , MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said on Thursday.
The staffer Mehmood Akhtar, who worked in the visa section of the high commission and has diplomatic immunity, was procuring critical details from two other accomplices who have been arrested here, police said.
Akhtar was released after prolonged questioning because of his diplomatic immunity.
"During interrogation, Akhtar said that he was posted in the Pakistan high commission here since about two-and-a-half years and was working in visa section," Vikas Swarup said.
"Akhtar is on deputation to Pak ISI since January 2013 and is a serving Hawaldar the Baloch Regiment of Pakistan army, Swarup added.
Swarup denied Pakistan's allegations that the arrested high commission staffer was manhandled. He said Mehmood Akhtar was treated with courtesy. "When Mehmood Akhtar was handed over to Pakistan high commissioner in the presence of MEA official, he himself said he was treated well," Swarup said.
When asked about Pakistan's denial that Mehmood Akhtar was not involved in spying, Swarup said that this is something which has by now become quiet characteristic of Pakistan.
"We are happy that we nipped the ISI spy ring in the bud," Swarup said.