A significant diplomatic standoff has erupted at the Attari-Wagah border after Pakistan refused to accept the return of its own nationals being repatriated from India. According to Indian immigration authorities, Pakistan closed its receiving counters at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, leaving dozens of Pakistani citizens stranded at the border.
Among those affected are elderly individuals, women, and children who now find themselves in a state of uncertainty, without access to food, shelter, or any official communication regarding their status. The unexpected development has prompted Indian authorities to heighten security measures at the Attari border post amid growing concern over the refusal from Pakistan’s side.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage on social media, where many users described Pakistan’s move as deeply embarrassing and inhumane.
In contrast to Pakistan’s position, the Indian government has kept the Attari-Wagah border open to facilitate the return of Pakistani nationals, pending further notice. This decision marks a revision of an earlier directive issued by India’s Ministry of Home Affairs, which had ordered the closure of the border from April 30 onwards.
It is important to note that hundreds of Pakistani nationals had crossed over into Pakistan on the final day of that initial deadline, which was set following the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on April 22.
Also Read: Pak forces breach ceasefire for 7th straight night along LoC
The attack, which claimed 26 lives, was widely condemned as an act of cross-border terrorism and led to a firm diplomatic response from India, including the mass cancellation of visas for Pakistani citizens.
In the days following the announcement of that policy, nearly 800 Pakistani nationals—including 55 diplomats and their support staff—exited India via the Attari-Wagah border. Simultaneously, around 1,500 Indian citizens were repatriated from Pakistan.
To ensure full compliance with the Centre’s directive, Union Home Minister Amit Shah personally contacted chief ministers across states last week, instructing them to ensure that no Pakistani national remained in India beyond the specified deadlines.
The current standoff at Attari has intensified the already strained ties between the two nations and raised humanitarian concerns over the treatment of civilians caught in the crossfire of geopolitical tensions.
Also Read: Attari-Wagah border shut down completely
Follow us
