Attari-Wagah border closes after rush of crossings

New Delhi

The Attari-Wagah border, which connects India and Pakistan, was completely closed on Thursday, sources confirmed. This closure came after a week of heavy traffic as people rushed to cross the border following the Union government’s order for all Pakistani nationals with short-term visas to leave India. The decision came in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, which resulted in the deaths of 26 people, mostly tourists.

On Wednesday, 125 Pakistani citizens crossed from India into Pakistan through the Attari-Wagah border, bringing the total number of Pakistanis leaving India in the past seven days to 911. Additionally, 15 Indian nationals holding Pakistani visas also crossed into Pakistan, increasing the total number of such exits to 23.

On the other hand, 152 Indian citizens and 73 Pakistani nationals with long-term Indian visas crossed into India via the same border, bringing the total number of such people entering India to 1,617 and 224, respectively.

The closure of the Attari-Wagah border follows the government’s order issued after the April 22 terror attack, where terrorists with Pakistan links killed several people in Pahalgam. The situation continues to evolve as authorities manage the influx of people crossing both ways due to the ongoing diplomatic tensions.