Pahalgam Attack: A Condemnable Act of Savagery as Pakistani Nationals Depart Post Visa Suspension

Attari, April 26 (NationPress) In the aftermath of the terror attack in Pahalgam that resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians, Pakistani nationals are now making their way back to their homeland via the Wagah-Attari border in Amritsar, adhering to the deadline established by Indian authorities after visa services for Pakistanis were halted in light of the assault.

The heinous attack, executed on April 22 by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy group affiliated with the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), has sparked widespread diplomatic and public outrage across India.

In a decisive retaliatory action, the Indian government suspended visa services for Pakistani citizens, granting them until Sunday to exit the country. However, medical visas are still recognized until Tuesday. In response, Pakistan has also suspended SAARC visas for Indian nationals.

As Pakistani citizens prepare for their return, the Border Security Force (BSF) at the Attari border in Punjab has intensified security protocols. Each arriving Pakistani national is undergoing thorough passport verification before being permitted to cross back into their homeland. Authorities are enforcing stringent checks to ensure a smooth repatriation process.

Many individuals heading back expressed their sorrow over the tragic killings in Pahalgam and condemned terrorism, noting how such acts adversely impact ordinary people. In conversations with IANS, various Pakistani nationals shared their grief and frustration over their visits being cut short due to the deteriorating relationship between India and Pakistan.

Bali Ram Chawala, a visibly emotional Pakistani national from Ghotki, remarked, "I just came from Raipur. I'm returning to Pakistan now. I had a visa for one and a half months. Following PM Modi's recent directive, we are leaving accordingly. The acts of terrorism that occurred were absolutely wrong and incomprehensible. They resulted in the loss of innocent lives, which is pure savagery."

Another Pakistani, Daulat, who was heading back to Karachi from Jodhpur, stated, "I came to meet someone and attend a wedding. I had a 1.5-month visa, but now I must depart quickly. What happened in Pahalgam is unacceptable. There should be consequences, and that is the least that can be done."

A citizen from Rawalpindi, who had traveled to Lucknow for a wedding, also denounced the attack. "The Pahalgam terror incident is absolutely condemnable. Innocent lives have been lost," he said.

Muzammil Hussain, visiting family in Mumbai, expressed, "What transpired in Pahalgam was unjust; the terrorists must be apprehended and punished."

Another individual, Baskari, shared her disappointment over the cancellation of their plans. "We traveled from Muzaffarnagar for my niece's wedding and to mourn my brother's passing. Our entire family is here. Today was supposed to be my niece's wedding, but now we are forced to turn back. These conflicts affect everyone. It has been ten years since our last visit, and now we're leaving after just 15 days of a one-and-a-half-month visa," she lamented.

Her husband, Mohammad Rashid, also recounted their sorrow. "We came for multiple reasons, including the funeral of my wife's brother and the wedding that is taking place today. We traveled after a decade, but now we stand at the Attari border while the wedding unfolds without us," he said.

"Because of the actions of a few individuals, many innocent people are suffering," he concluded.

Meanwhile, Shazia, a Pakistani national who visited Allahabad to see her parents, is currently stranded in Delhi following the cancellation of her visa. She arrived in India six months prior and is eager to return to her five-year-old daughter in Pakistan. With no communication from the Pakistani embassy, her situation remains precarious.

"I want to return to my child. She is just five years old. My visit was meant to see my parents, but now I receive no response from the Pakistani embassy," she shared with IANS.