Amid heightened Indo-Pak tensions following the deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, lawyer AP Singh has strongly denied any connection between Pakistani national Seema Haider and the incident.
In a self-recorded video message released on Thursday, Singh defended his client, stating:
“Linking her to the Pahalgam incident is completely wrong. She has only visited her in-laws’ house and a hospital in India.”
Seema Haider, who entered India illegally via Nepal in May 2023 with her four children to live with Sachin Meena, a man she met through the online game PUBG, has remained under close scrutiny by Indian security agencies. Her lawyer said:
“Her documents are with the ATS. She converted to Sanatana Dharma and married Sachin in Nepal legally.”
Haider was arrested in July 2023 along with Sachin for violating Indian immigration laws but was later released. The couple has since been residing in Greater Noida.
The statement came on the same day that the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) announced the closure of Indian airspace to all Pakistani-registered, operated, or leased aircraft, including military ones, from April 30 to May 23, in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.
India’s move mirrors Pakistan’s earlier decision to block Indian aircraft following the attack. Rising tensions have also been reflected along the Line of Control, with increased ceasefire violations by Pakistan, to which the Indian Army has retaliated effectively.
As investigations continue into potential links between Pakistani elements and the Pahalgam incident, Indian agencies are actively monitoring border crossings and international affiliations.