537 Pakistanis Exit via Attari-Wagah Border in 3 Days
27 April 2025 10:54 PM IST27 April 2025 10:54 PM IST
As the exit deadline for short-term visa holders came to a close, 537 Pakistani nationals, including nine diplomats and officials, departed India through the Attari-Wagah border over the past three days.
Attari-Wagah border. (Image:DC)
New Delhi: As the exit deadline for short-term visa holders came to a close, 537 Pakistani nationals, including nine diplomats and officials, departed India through the Attari-Wagah border over the past three days. This move followed a "Leave India" notice issued by the Centre after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists.
On Sunday alone, 237 Pakistani nationals crossed the border, while 81 left on April 26 and 191 on April 25, officials confirmed. In parallel, 850 Indians, including 14 diplomats and officials, returned from Pakistan via the Attari international border crossing.
Officials noted that some Pakistani nationals might have exited through airports via third countries, as there is no direct flight connectivity between India and Pakistan.
Officials noted that some Pakistani nationals might have exited through airports via third countries, as there is no direct flight connectivity between India and Pakistan.
The government had mandated the exit of those holding 12 categories of short-term visas — including business, journalist, student, visitor, and pilgrim visas — by April 27, while those on medical visas have until April 29. Holders of long-term and diplomatic visas were exempted.
Three Pakistani defence attaches and five support staff in New Delhi were declared persona non grata and given a week to leave, while India simultaneously withdrew its defence attache from Islamabad.
Union home minister Amit Shah had earlier directed all state chief ministers to ensure strict adherence to the exit order.
The mass departure and visa revocations mark the latest retaliatory measures following the terror attack in Pahalgam, which has significantly strained India-Pakistan relations.
The mass departure and visa revocations mark the latest retaliatory measures following the terror attack in Pahalgam, which has significantly strained India-Pakistan relations.
Across states, officials confirmed compliance with the deadline:
- Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis reported that all Pakistani nationals with revoked visas have been accounted for.
- Bihar reported all 19 Pakistani nationals on short-term visas had left ahead of schedule.
- Telangana police said 13 out of 208 Pakistani nationals (mostly in Hyderabad) on short-term visas were exiting.
- Kerala, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh also reported the departure or ongoing exit of Pakistani nationals with short-term visas.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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