In the wake of the deadly terror attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, the Indian government has taken decisive action, including the closure of the Attari Integrated Check Post (ICP). The closure, confirmed by Punjab Police Protocol Officer Arun Mahal, resulted in the suspension of the usual joint ceremony at the iconic Attari-Wagah border.
Despite the gates at the Attari ICP remaining closed, separate ceremonies were held on either side of the border. Mahal confirmed that 28 Pakistani nationals returned home, while 105 Indian nationals crossed back into India, marking the only movement at the border during the closure.
“The government of India has taken very strict decisions. The gates at the Attari-Wagah integrated check post were not opened and the parade was done in the respective areas. A total of 28 Pakistani nationals left for Pakistan from the Attari border and 105 Indian nationals have returned from Pakistan. There has been an impact on the number of tourists,” said Mahal, speaking to ANI.
The Border Security Force (BSF) has also scaled down the ceremonial display during the retreat ceremonies at Attari, Hussainiwala, and Sadki in Punjab, with notable changes, including the suspension of the symbolic handshake between the Indian Guard Commander and their Pakistani counterpart. The gates at the border will remain closed during the ceremony, the BSF confirmed.
This move follows the tragic attack on tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday, where terrorists killed 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, while several others were injured. This attack is one of the deadliest in the region since the 2019 Pulwama strike that killed 40 CRPF jawans.
In response to the attack, India has taken strong countermeasures against Pakistan. In a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Cabinet Committee on Security decided to hold the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. The government also announced the closure of the Attari Check Post and declared Pakistani High Commission officials persona non grata, ordering them to leave India within a week.
Additionally, India has suspended visa services to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect. All existing visas issued to Pakistani citizens stand revoked as of 27 April 2025, the Ministry of External Affairs confirmed. Visas issued under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) have also been canceled, and Pakistani nationals have been ordered to leave India within 48 hours.
These decisions underscore India’s firm stance against terrorism and its commitment to taking decisive actions in the face of such threats.