SRINAGAR: Following the Pahalgam terror attack that left 26 civilians dead, Jammu and Kashmir Police have detained several Pakistani nationals—mostly women—across the Valley for defying government deportation orders issued under a directive dated April 25, 2025, by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Quoting sources, Srinagar-based agency Kashmir Dot Com reported that all foreign nationals who failed to comply with the deportation orders have been detained. Most of those detained had crossed LoC, lived in the Valley for years, and have children born in India.
According to officials, all detained individuals had earlier been served notices to leave India by the Senior Superintendent of Police, CID Special Branch (SB) Kashmir, who also functions as the Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO).
An official said that the action was taken in line with an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India (Foreigners-I Division), under Order No. 25022/28/2025-F, dated April 25, 2025. The order required all Pakistani nationals residing illegally in India to leave the country by April 27, 2025.
Despite the deadline and prior notice, many Pakistani nationals remained in Kashmir, prompting police to launch a coordinated operation to detain those who did not comply.
Officials said that the detainees would be escorted to the Wagah border for repatriation to Pakistan, following necessary formalities.
While no official count of the detainees has been released, sources said senior administrative authorities are overseeing the process.
The Union Government has warned that any Pakistani national who fails to leave India as per the directive will face arrest, prosecution, and up to three years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to Rs 3 lakh, or both.
Human rights activists have raised concerns over the lack of clarity in the deportation policy and the humanitarian implications for families. “These are not illegal immigrants in the conventional sense,” said a Srinagar-based lawyer familiar with several of the affected cases. “Many of these women came with legal sanction under a public policy—rescinding that retrospectively not only violates basic fairness but risks destabilising families and communities.”
Meanwhile, PDP president Mehbooba Mufti in a post on X said, “We appeal to the government to review this decision and consider a humane approach, particularly with regard to women, children, and the elderly. Deporting individuals who have lived in India for decades without incident would cause severe hardship and disrupt families who have long made this country their home.”
The recent government directive to deport all Pakistani nationals from India has raised serious humanitarian concerns, particularly in Jammu & Kashmir. Many affected are women who came to India 30–40 years ago, married Indian citizens, raised families, and have long been part of…
— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) April 29, 2025 (With KDC Inputs)
