India, Pak expel each other's diplomats

New Delhi, Aug 5 (UNI) In a diplomatic tit-for-tat, India today expelled a Pakistan diplomat Syed Mohammed Rafiq Ahmed accusing him of engaging in activity not conducive to bilateral relations shortly after Pakistan expelled Indian diplomat Deepak Kaul.

India expelled Mr Ahmed, a counsellor in the Pakistan High Commission here, in retaliation to the arrest and expulsion of Mr Kaul, visa counsellor in the Indian High Commission in Islamabad earlier during the day.

Deepak Kaul was arrested and detained while he was going to receive his family members. He was declared persona non grata and ordered to leave Pakistan within 48 hours.

Pakistan alleged that Deepak Kaul was in possession of some important documents.

Officials said about eight people hand-cuffed him and took him to an undisclosed location. He was later taken away to an undisclosed location blindfolded and kept there for five hours, they said.

India has expressed anger and warned Pakistan that Deepak or any other member of the Indian High Comission in Islamabad should not be harmed.

Pakistan's Deputy High Commissioner in New Delhi summoned was summoned to the Foreign Office here and conveyed India's strong protest at the arrest and detention of Deepak.

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