Pahalgam Terror Attack Alert: All PAK Nationals To Leave India In 48 Hours, No Visas To Pakistani Citizens

Pahalgam Terror Attack: In the wake of the deadliest and most heinous attack in the Pahalgam region of Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian government has declared an ultimatum with stringent actions in cross-border linkages. The Indian government has asked Pakistani diplomats and nationals to leave India in the next 48 hours, announced Foreign Security of India, Vikram Misri, in the special CSS briefing. Further, the Indian government has banned visas to Pakistani nationals with immediate effect under the SVES visa scheme.

"The Cabinet Committee of Security met this evening under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The CSS was briefed in detail on the terrorist attack on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam in Jammu & Kashmir, in which 25 Indians and 1 Nepali were killed. A number of others sustained injuries," Misri said. "The CSS condemned the attack in the strongest terms, and expressed its deepest condolences to the families of the victims and hoped for the early recovery of the injured."

"Strong expression of support and solidarity has been received from many governments around the world, which have unequivocally condemned this terror attack. The CSS recorded its appreciation for such sentiments, which reflect zero tolerance for terrorism," he added.

In the briefing to CSS, the cross-border linkages of terrorist attacks were brought out. It was noted that this attack came in the wake of the successful holding of elections in the union territory and its steady progress towards economic growth and development.

Recognizing the seriousness of this terrorist attack, the CSS decided that Pakistani nationals are hereby banned from travelling to India, under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). Any SVES visas that were issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled.

Furthermore, CSS announced that any Pakistani nationals under the SVES visas have 48 hours to leave India.

Also, the defence ministry air and naval advisors in the Pakistani high commission in New Delhi, are declared persona non-grata. They have been allowed a week's time to leave India.

CSS announced the withdrawal of India's own defence, navy and air advisors from the Indian High Commission situated in Islamabad. These posts in the respective high commissions are deemed annulled.

The committee announced that five support staff of the service advisors will also be withdrawn from both high commissions. The overall strength of the high commissions will be brought down to 30 from the current 55 posts, through further reductions, which will come into effect on May 1, 2025.

The CSS reviewed the overall security situation and directed all forces to maintain high vigilance. It resolved that the perpetrators of this attack will be brought to justice, and their sponsors will be held to account, Misri said lastly.

What Is SAARC Visas?

SAARC full form is South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is the regional intergovernmental organization and geopolitical union of states in South Asia. Its member states are Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. SAARC comprises 3% of the world's land area, 21% of the world's population and 5.21% (US$4.47 trillion) of the global economy, as of 2021, as per Wikipedia.

An India Business Card will be issued to businessmen from SAARC countries who are eligible for a multiple entry Business Visa for a period of three years or more. The validity of the India Business Card will be co-terminus with the validity of the Business Visa. The India Business Card will help in facilitation at the immigration counters for expeditious immigration clearance. The businessman issued such an India Business Card will also have to carry the passport containing the Business Visa sticker for entry into India. On issue of a fresh Business Visa, a fresh India Business Card will be issued. While submitting the application for a fresh Business Visa, the individual will have to surrender the India Business Card already issued, as per the Indian government website.