Following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, Pakistani nationals currently residing in India have started returning to Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border in Amritsar. This movement follows the Indian government’s decision to suspend visa services for Pakistani citizens as a strong response to the attack.

The attack, orchestrated by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy group of Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has triggered widespread public outrage and diplomatic action across India. In response, the Indian government instructed Pakistani visitors to leave by April 30, setting a firm deadline for their departure.

At the Attari border, long queues of vehicles were seen as Pakistani nationals waited for clearance from the Border Security Force (BSF) to cross back home.

Many departing individuals expressed sadness over the sudden end to their trips. Several shared how innocent people with cross-border family ties often get caught in political tensions.

A Pakistani woman returning from Jodhpur said, “I was here for a month. I got married in Pakistan 15 years ago. It feels strange to leave like this.”

Another emotional Pakistani national commented, “Yes, we heard about the attack, and now we must leave because of it. It’s unfortunate. Both governments must find a way to protect innocent people like us.”

A father who had visited his sons in India said, “I came to meet my children. What happened in Pahalgam is deeply wrong.”

Another visitor who had come to Delhi to meet his in-laws added, “I had a visa for 45 days. My wife is Indian, and she cannot visit Pakistan. Families like ours need a solution. The Pahalgam attack is tragic, and the perpetrators must be punished severely.”

A woman who reunited with her sisters after over a decade said, “It hurts to leave so soon, but PM Modi’s decision is understandable given the circumstances. Justice must be served for what happened.”