Ten residents of Mendhar in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, who were recently repatriated via the Attari border, have been granted permission to remain in India following a directive from the Jammu and Kashmir High Court. The individuals, who have lived in Mendhar for over four decades, expressed deep gratitude to the Indian government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for upholding the court order.
They also condemned the recent Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed 26 lives, and urged strict action against those responsible.
This decision follows the Indian government’s move to revoke all visa categories for Pakistani nationals—except diplomatic, official, and long-term visas—effective April 27, in the wake of the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam.
In a related development, Sharmeen Irfan, an Indian passport holder married to a Pakistani national, has appealed for assistance in returning to Pakistan with her children after visiting her ailing mother in India. Her efforts have been hindered by Pakistan reportedly closing its Attari-Wagah check post and refusing to accept deported citizens.
Amid escalating tensions, India has also closed its airspace to all Pakistani-registered, operated, or leased aircraft, including military flights, from April 30 to May 23, while both countries have blocked each other’s airlines from using their airspace.
