537 Pakistan nationals leave via Attari in 4 days as first deadline ends

The ‘Leave India’ notice to the Pakistani nationals was issued by the Centre after 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed in a terror attack in South Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22. The officials said that altogether 237 Pakistani nationals, including nine diplomats and officials, left India through the Attari-Wagah border on Sunday, 81 on April 26, 191 on April 25 and 28 on April 24.

Similarly, 116 Indians, including one diplomat, returned from Pakistan on Sunday through the international land border crossing; 342 Indians, including 13 diplomats and officials, came back on April 26; 287 Indians on April 25; and 105 on April 24, the officials said.

Protocol Officer at the Attari border Arun Mahal said that between April 24 and 27, a total of 537 Pakistani nationals crossed over to Pakistan while 850 Indians returned from Pakistan. Some of the Pakistanis might have left India through airports too, the officials said, pointing out that since India does not have direct air connectivity with Pakistan, they might have left for other countries.

The deadline for exiting India for those holding SAARC visas was April 26. For those carrying medical visas, the deadline is April 29. The 12 categories of visas whose holders have to leave India by Sunday are — visa on arrival, business, film, journalist, transit, conference, mountaineering, student, visitor, group tourist, pilgrim and group pilgrim.

Three Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi were declared Persona Non Grata on April 23 and they were given one week to leave India. Five support staff of these defence attaches were also asked to leave India.

India has also withdrawn its defence attache from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

However, those having long-term and diplomatic or official visas were exempted from the ‘Leave-India’ order.