New Delhi: The Attari-Wagah border crossing between India and Pakistan was closed on Thursday, halting movement after a week of heavy public transit. The closure followed a government order directing Pakistani nationals on short-term visas to leave India.The directive came after the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in 26 deaths.
Investigations have linked the attack to Pakistan-based groups.According to official sources, no individuals crossed the border on Thursday, marking a complete stop in movement at the checkpoint.In the past week, 911 Pakistani nationals departed from India. On April 30 alone, 125 individuals crossed over.
These included civilians, diplomatic staff, and military personnel.On April 23, the Indian government declared three defence advisors from the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi as persona non grata and instructed them, along with five support staff, to leave within seven days.
On the same day, 15 Indian citizens with Pakistani visas also entered Pakistan, bringing the total of such crossings to 23. In parallel, 152 Indian nationals returned from Pakistan through the same route.The exits followed a series of deadlines issued by the government. Pakistani nationals holding SAARC visas were told to leave by April 26.
Those on medical visas were to exit by April 29. Twelve other categories, including business, student, journalist, and tourist visas, were required to exit by April 27.The order did not apply to holders of long-term, diplomatic, or official visas.
