India expels Pakistani embassy staffer

(27 Oct 2016) India on Thursday said it was expelling a Pakistani diplomat in New Delhi after briefly detaining him on espionage charges, a sign of increasing tension between the two South Asian nuclear-armed archrivals. India informed Pakistan's high commissioner, the top Pakistani diplomat in the country, that embassy staff member Mehmood Akhtar had until 29 October to leave the country, a foreign ministry official said. Spokesman Vikas Swarup claimed Akhtar had been involved in espionage activities, a charge rejected by Pakistan. He explained Akhtar was ordered to leave the country after he was allegedly caught with defence-related documents. The expulsion comes amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir, which is divided between the two countries but claimed by both. Most people in Indian-controlled portion favour independence or a merger with Pakistan. Pakistani and Indian troops in recent weeks resorted to daily heavy mortar shelling across the border, causing casualties on both sides. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...