New Delhi [India]: A total of 786 Pakistani nationals have exited India via the Attari-Wagah border between April 24 and April 30, following the Indian government’s directive asking them to leave the country amid heightened tensions after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives.
Simultaneously, 1,376 Indian nationals returned to India from Pakistan via the same border crossing during this period, a senior official confirmed.
Key Developments:
- On April 24, the Government of India issued a directive for all Pakistani nationals on short-term visas to leave by April 27, extending the deadline to April 29 for those with medical visas.
- Diplomatic, official, and long-term visa holders were exempted from the ‘Leave India’ order.
- The move follows the Pakistan-backed terror attack in Pahalgam.
- The government has issued a strong advisory against travel to Pakistan and urged all Indians currently in Pakistan to return immediately.
- Many Pakistanis also left via third-country routes, as no direct flight services exist between the two nations.
- Mass verification drives are being conducted across Indian states to identify remaining Pakistani nationals with the help of state police and intelligence agencies.
- Officials have warned that any Pakistani staying beyond April 29 without proper authorization will be treated as illegally residing in India and will face strict action.
Quotes:
“We expect more Pakistani nationals to leave in the coming days. A state-wise identification and verification drive is currently underway,” — Senior Government Official