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Pakistan Accuses Indian Diplomats Of Espionage


Pakistani Rangers and Indian Border Security Force personnel lower their respective country flags at the Beating Retreat Ceremony at the India-Pakistan Wagah Border Post on March 24, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / NARINDER NANU
Pakistani Rangers and Indian Border Security Force personnel lower their respective country flags at the Beating Retreat Ceremony at the India-Pakistan Wagah Border Post on March 24, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / NARINDER NANU

Pakistan has accused eight Indian diplomats of espionage and terrorism, amid mounting tensions between the two neighbors.

The Foreign Ministry named the suspects on November 3, saying six of them worked for India’s Research & Analysis Wing intelligence agency, while two were operatives for the Intelligence Bureau agency.

The accusations against the diplomats included fueling instability in Pakistan's Sindh and Baluchistan provinces, liaising with factions of the Pakistani Taliban, and working to damage Islamabad’s relations with Kabul.

It was not immediately clear if the diplomats would be expelled by Islamabad or withdrawn by New Delhi.

Last week, the countries expelled one diplomat from each other's embassies, accusing them of spying.

Islamabad also said it had withdrawn six diplomats from its mission in India after Indian media reported that they had been involved in spying.

The developments came amid frequent artillery duels and skirmishes between the two countries in the disputed region of Kashmir.

Based on reporting by Reuters and Dawn

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