537 Pakistanis Leave India After Visa Deadline Amid Rising Tensions

Pakistanis Depart After Visa Deadline Follows Terror Attack

Over 500 Pakistani nationals left India through the Attari-Wagah border in the four days leading up to Sunday, April 27th. This exodus comes after a government-issued ‘Leave India’ notice, prompted by a deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir on April 22nd. The attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people, was blamed on Pakistan-linked terrorists.

According to Indian officials, 537 Pakistanis, including nine diplomats and officials, crossed back into Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border. This number includes 237 who left on Sunday, 81 on April 26th, 191 on April 25th, and 28 on April 24th.

In a reciprocal move, 850 Indian nationals, including 14 diplomats and officials, have returned from Pakistan through the same border crossing in the same period.

The ‘Leave India’ notice impacted 12 categories of short-term visa holders from Pakistan. While most left through the Attari-Wagah border, some may have departed via airports, although direct air connectivity between India and Pakistan is limited.

India-Pakistan Relations Remain Tense

The recent events have further strained already tense relations between India and Pakistan. The two nations have a long history of conflict, and the recent attack has heightened security concerns on both sides.