Pahalgam Terrorist Attack / So many Pakistanis left Indian soil after the attack, the deadline is ending tomorrow

Pahalgam Terrorist Attack: After the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, the tension in relations between India and Pakistan is also directly affecting the common citizens. On Monday, 145 Pakistani citizens returned to their country from the Attari-Wagah International Border, while 275 Indian citizens returned home from Pakistan.

After this terrorist attack on April 22, in which 26 innocent people lost their lives, India and Pakistan took a tough stand and canceled the visas of each other's citizens and issued an order to leave the country within 48 hours. Along with this, the Government of India has directed 12 types of short-term visa holders to leave the country as soon as possible. Medical visa holders have been given relief till April 29.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has given strict instructions to the Chief Ministers of the states that no Pakistani citizen should stay in India after the stipulated time limit. Security agencies have also been instructed to keep an eye on this.

Hurdles in the way of return

Although the way for return for short-term visa holders remained clear, long-term visa holders are facing serious difficulties. A situation of uncertainty has arisen for those whose visas were extended due to employment, family or medical reasons. According to a senior government official, in the last six days alone, more than 1,000 Indian citizens have returned from Pakistan through the Wagah border, while more than 800 Pakistani citizens have returned to their country from India.

Strict checking at Attari-Wagah border

The documents of the citizens of both the countries are being thoroughly checked at the Wagah border before returning to their home country. India's Border Security Force (BSF) and Pakistan Rangers are jointly verifying the identity card and visa status of each person.

Daily Return Statistics

The daily return statistics at the border since 24 April are as follows:

24 April:

Pakistani citizens returned: 28

Indian citizens returned: 105

25 April:

Pakistani citizens returned: 191

Indian citizens returned: 287

26 April:

Pakistani citizens returned: 75

Indian citizens returned: 335

27 April:

Pakistani citizens returned: 237

Indian citizens returned: 116

28 April:

Pakistani citizens returned: 145

Indian citizens returned: 275

Attari check post temporarily closed

Following the Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India in a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) held in New Delhi decided to close the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari with immediate effect. The Attari-Wagah border, which is located between Amritsar and Lahore, is now being opened only for emergencies or cases with special permission.

Future uncertain

Amid the growing bitterness between India and Pakistan, the suffering of ordinary citizens is also increasing. Thousands of people living in each other's countries for family, medical and business reasons are in uncertainty. Visa cancellations and strict monitoring at the borders are deepening the humanitarian crisis among the people of both countries.