Srinagar, May 01: The Government of India has extended date of departure of Pakistani nationals stranded in India, through Attari check post till further orders.
The fresh order issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners Division (Immigration Section) reviewed the previous office memorandum issued on April 24, 2025 in which it was ordered to close all types of incoming and outgoing passengers and movement of goods through the Integrated Check Post Attari with immediate effect, and permitting those who have crossed the border with valid endorsement to return through the route before May 01, 2025.
The decision was taken after tensions between India and Pakistan rose post Pahalgam attack in which 26 civilians mostly tourists were killed by terrorists.
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on April 23 in a media briefing said that the cross-border involvement in the Kashmir attack was underscored at a special security cabinet meeting, prompting it to act against Pakistan.
He said New Delhi would immediately suspend the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty “until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.”
India also closed the only open land border crossing point between the two countries and said that those who have crossed into India can return through the point before May 1.
Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under special South Asian visas, all such existing visas were cancelled and Pakistanis in India under such visas had 48 hours to leave, Misri said.
All defence advisors in the Pakistani mission in New Delhi were declared persona non grata and given a week to leave. India will pull out its own defence advisors in Pakistan and also reduce staff size at its mission in Islamabad to 30 from 55, Misri said.
“The CCS reviewed the overall security situation and directed all forces to maintain high vigil,” Misri, the most senior diplomat in the foreign ministry, said referring to the security cabinet.
“In reference of Ministry of Home Affairs OM of even number dated 24 April 2025 on the above-mentioned subject, wherein it was ordered to close all types of incoming and outgoing passengers and movement of goods through the integrated Check Post Attari with immediate effect, and permitting those who have crossed the border with valid endorsement to return through the route before 01 May 2025. The order in the said OM has been reviewed and in partial modification of the said OM, it is now ordered that Pakistani nationals may be allowed to exit India to go into Pakistan from Integrated Check Post at Attari till further orders, with due clearances,” the fresh office memorandum issued by Ministry of Home Affairs stated.
