Return of Indian & Pakistan nationals continues amid border closure
that claimed 26 lives.
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On Sunday, 237 Pakistani nationals holding various short-term visas crossed back to Pakistan via the Attari-Wagah land border, while 116 Indian nationals arrived from Pakistan, informed Arun Kumar, the protocol officer at Attari.
The mass movement began on April 24 after the Indian govt announced the closure of the Attari ICP and the revocation of all short-term visas, except the long-term visas (LTVs), diplomatic, and official categories, effective April 27, with medical visas valid until April 29.
Among those returning were groups of Pakistani Hindus from Sindh province, including young children. Kishan Lal, a Pakistani Hindu, informed that he and others had travelled to Jodhpur to visit relatives and seek work. "We are poor and came with hopes, but the unfortunate Pahalgam terror attack forced us to return," he said.
Arun Kumar informed that from April 24 to April 27, a total of 850 Indian nationals returned from Pakistan, while 537 Pakistani nationals crossed back into their country via the Attari-Wagah border.
Kishan Lal informed that the Attari-Wagah border was a vital link for trade and people-to-people contact, but the Pahalgam attack disrupted plans for many, including the weddings.
An Iranian national, Elham, is also stranded at the Attari border and had to spend the night in her van, through which she travelled to India. Elham appealed to the Indian govt to give her an exemption to cross the border to Pakistan.
Meanwhile, efforts to secure the release of Border Security Force (BSF) constable P K Sahu, detained by the Pakistan Rangers on April 23 after he inadvertently crossed the international border near Ferozepur, have yielded no progress.
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Despite three-four flag meetings between the BSF and the Pakistan Rangers, the latter provided no favourable response, stating that they were awaiting instructions from their headquarters.
A BSF official, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed frustration. "We are ready to engage with the Pakistan Rangers at any time, but they are unwilling to cooperate," said the official.
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