Following a surge of crossings over the past week, the Attari-Wagah border between India and Pakistan has been completely shut down as of Thursday. This closure comes after the Indian government’s directive for all Pakistani citizens holding short-term visas to depart India following the recent terror attack in Pahalgam.
Sources confirmed that no individuals from either nation crossed the border on Thursday.
In the preceding seven days, a total of 911 Pakistani nationals left India through the Attari-Wagah border, with 125 departing on Wednesday alone. Conversely, 23 Indian citizens with Pakistani visas exited India during the same period, including 15 on Wednesday.
Simultaneously, 1,617 Indian nationals and 224 Pakistani nationals with long-term Indian visas entered India via the Attari-Wagah crossing. On Wednesday, 152 Indians and 73 Pakistanis in this category entered India.
The Indian government’s “Leave India” notice was issued after the killing of 26 people in Pahalgam on April 22, an attack linked to Pakistan-based terrorists.
The deadlines for departure varied based on visa type: April 26 for SAARC visas, April 29 for medical visas, and April 27 for twelve other categories, including visas on arrival, business, film, journalists, transit, conferences, mountaineering, students, visitors, group tourists, and pilgrims.
India also declared three Pakistani defense officials in New Delhi as persona non grata on April 23, giving them a week to leave, along with five support staff. In a reciprocal move, India withdrew its defense attache from Islamabad.
Exemptions to the “Leave India” order were granted to those holding long-term, diplomatic, or official visas.
Data provided by sources indicates the number of Pakistani departures through Attari-Wagah on specific dates: 125 on April 30, 94 (including 10 diplomats) on April 29, 145 (including 36 diplomats, dependents, and staff) on April 28, 237 (including nine diplomats and officials) on April 27, 81 on April 26, 191 on April 25, and 28 on April 24.
Indian citizens leaving for Pakistan via the same route numbered 15 on April 30 and eight on April 29.
The return of Indian citizens from Pakistan through Attari-Wagah was as follows: 152 on April 30, 469 (including 11 diplomats and officials) on April 29, 146 on April 28, 116 (including one diplomat) on April 27, 342 (including 13 diplomats and officials) on April 26, 287 on April 25, and 105 on April 24.
Pakistani nationals entering India with long-term visas through Attari-Wagah numbered 73 on April 30, 22 on April 29, and 129 on April 28.
Sources suggested that some Pakistanis might have also departed via airports, likely transiting through third countries due to the lack of direct air links between India and Pakistan.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah had previously directed all state chief ministers to ensure compliance with the departure deadlines, followed by a videoconference by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan with state chief secretaries on the same matter.
The already strained relationship between India and Pakistan has deteriorated further following the Pahalgam attack, leading to India’s visa cancellations and subsequent retaliatory measures from Pakistan.
