India orders Pakistanis to leave nation; 14 Pakistani nationals in Bhatkal under scrutiny

In a decisive move following the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government has ordered all Pakistani nationals residing in India to leave the country immediately. Additionally, Indian citizens currently in Pakistan have been directed to return home by May 1, in a firm response to what officials describe as Pakistan’s continued sponsorship of terrorism.

Also read: Pahalgam attack exposes how Hafiz Saeed played a role in unleashing terror 

The directive has brought attention to the coastal town of Bhatkal in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district, where 14 Pakistani nationals are currently residing. Of these, 10 are women married to local residents and are living on long-term visas. These women have three children, all reportedly born in Pakistan. Another woman among them is a Bangladeshi national whose immigration status is under judicial review.

Sources indicate that the Pakistani nationals in Bhatkal are under scrutiny and may already be preparing to leave the country in compliance with the government order. Their visas, which require renewal every two years, are expected to be revoked. The future status of their children, particularly regarding Indian citizenship, remains undecided.

The government’s move is part of a broader diplomatic and security response to the Pahalgam attack, signaling a hardening stance against cross-border terrorism. As the May 1 deadline looms, the fate of the Pakistani families in Bhatkal draws widespread attention, with uncertainty prevailing over their next steps.