272 Pakistani Nationals Leave India via Attari Border in Two Days Amid Rising Tensions
New Delhi, April 27 – Around 272 Pakistani nationals have exited India through the Attari-Wagah border crossing over the past two days, as tensions between India and Pakistan continue to escalate following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam. An official confirmed that more Pakistani citizens are expected to leave soon, particularly those whose short-term visa validity expires on Sunday.
As per agency report, India had directed Pakistani nationals holding short-term visas to leave the country after the April 22 terrorist attack that killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam region. The final deadline for South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) visa holders to leave was set for April 26, while those on medical visas were granted until April 29.
The categories of Pakistani citizens required to leave by Sunday include those holding visas for business, film, journalism, transit, conferences, mountaineering, study, tourism, pilgrimage, and group tours. However, those with long-term, diplomatic, or official visas have not been asked to depart.
According to officials, 191 Pakistani nationals left India via the Attari-Wagah crossing on April 25, while 81 more departed on April 26. Simultaneously, 629 Indian citizens, including 13 diplomats and officials, returned to India from Pakistan over the past two days — 287 on April 25 and 342 on April 26.
It was also noted that some Pakistanis might have exited India by air, though direct flights between India and Pakistan are currently unavailable. Those individuals would likely have traveled via third countries.
Officials highlighted that Maharashtra had the highest number of Pakistani nationals on short-term visas, with about 1,000 residents instructed to leave. Maharashtra Minister Yogesh Kadam stated that these individuals were asked to exit immediately. Overall, Maharashtra hosts around 5,050 Pakistani citizens, mostly on long-term visas, with concentrations in Nagpur (2,450), Thane (1,100), Jalgaon (390), Navi Mumbai (290), Pimpri-Chinchwad (290), Amravati (120), and Mumbai (15). Authorities revealed that the whereabouts of 107 Pakistani nationals in Maharashtra are currently untraceable.
In Telangana, Police Chief Jitender reported that at least 208 Pakistani nationals reside in the state, primarily in Hyderabad, with 156 on long-term visas, 13 on short-term visas, and 39 holding medical or business visas.
In Kerala, 104 Pakistani nationals were reported, with 99 holding long-term visas. Five on tourist or medical visas have already left the country. Madhya Pradesh had about 228 Pakistani nationals, many of whom have already returned, while Odisha has at least 12 Pakistani citizens who have been directed to leave within the stipulated time.
In Goa, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed that three Pakistani nationals on short-term visas were asked to depart. Similarly, in Gujarat, seven Pakistani nationals were present — five in Ahmedabad and one each in Bharuch and Vadodara — and they have either left or were scheduled to leave by Sunday. Gujarat also hosts 438 Pakistani nationals on long-term visas, including Hindus who have applied for Indian citizenship.
Uttar Pradesh Police Chief Prashant Kumar stated that the repatriation process for all Pakistani nationals ordered to leave the state has been completed, except for one individual who is scheduled to depart on April 30.
Home Minister Amit Shah personally contacted the chief ministers of all states and union territories on Friday, urging them to ensure that no Pakistani citizen remains in India beyond the designated deadlines.
