Encroachment removed outside the Pakistan high commission in Delhi (Credit: Rajesh Mehta)

NEW DELHI: Indian authorities removed queue liners outside the Pakistan high commission visa section along with other encroachment on a lane outside the boundary of the compound. The action Wednesday followed removal of parking poles and security barricades outside the Indian high commission in Islamabad earlier this week.Official sources said the liners were removed from a side lane outside the high commission and not the main gate. The response was said to be proportionate to the Pakistani action outside the Indian mission. Official sources said India was hoping the matter would end here but added govt would respond accordingly if Pakistan chooses to escalate.India’s ties with Pakistan remain in a freeze with govt last year — after the Pahalgam terror attack — cutting down the strength of high commissions from the already downgraded 55 to 30. Both sides continue to have functional engagements though, including DGMO-level talks, exchange of pre-notification of flight testing of ballistic missiles, exchange of list of nuclear installations, and exchange of list of prisoners in each other’s custody.

India strongly denies having any Track-2 dialogue with Pakistan.Visuals showed that India’s action left a trail of rubble outside the mission, with broken metal railings and gates, twisted metal frames, roofing sheets, bricks and chunks of concrete and plaster strewn across the paved area. The main entrance of the high commission, with its white walls, domed features and large metal gates bearing the Pakistani emblem, remained intact.