modern DELHI, Jan. 22 Kyodo (EDS:...

modern DELHI, Jan. 22 Kyodo

(EDS: ADDING REACTION FROM ISLAMABAD, 3RD PARA)

India onward Wednesday expelled four Pakistani High Commission personnel including brace senior diplomats, accusing them of engaging in improper activities.

The Pakistani officials ''were indulging in activities incompatible with their diplomatic status,'' a widely used euphemism for spying, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Navtej Sarna told reporters. The High Commission besufficient fors as Pakistan's embassy in India.

In Islamabad, Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesman Aziz Ahmad Khan said the expulsion of the four Pakistani officials was unfortunate and would barely create tensions between the sum of two units countries.

The expulsion order approachs in the wake of India's acting High Commissioner in Islamabad complaining of harassment according to Pakistani intelligence officials.

Sarna said the four Pakistani High Commission officials were ordered to leave India within 48 hours.

the two sides have reduced their diplomatic staff in the wake of the military buildup along their border last year.

pair of the expelled Pakistani diplomats were identified at Press Trust of India as the High Commission counselor, Mansoor Saeed Sheikh, and first secretary, Mian Mohammad Esif.

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