Fallout of Pahalgam Terror Attack Intensifies Cross-Border Tensions Following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan have witnessed a sharp downturn. In a significant development, 537 Pakistani nationals, including nine diplomats and officials, left India through the Attari-Wagah border over a four-day period ending April 27, marking the enforcement of India's new visa exit orders targeting short-term visitors. This mass departure highlights the escalating diplomatic crisis and the broader security recalibrations underway within India. Exit of Pakistani Nationals: A Widespread Compliance Across States According to officials stationed at the Attari border, 850 Indians, including 14 diplomats and officials, also returned from Pakistan over the same period. Protocol Officer Arun Pal informed the media that on the final day alone, 237 Pakistani nationals crossed back to Pakistan, while 116 Indians re-entered India. The exit order had stipulated that 12 categories of short-term visa holders from Pakistan were to leave India before the deadline, while individuals with long-term, diplomatic, or official visas were exempted. The decision also came alongside India’s expulsion of three defence advisers from the Pakistani High Commission and a recall of its own defence attaché from Islamabad, underlining the gravity of the situation. At Attari, scenes of tearful goodbyes unfolded as families were separated by the enforced departures. In one heart-breaking instance, Sarita, a Pakistani national whose mother holds an Indian passport, was distraught after officials denied her mother's departure alongside the family. "They are saying Indian passport holders will not be allowed. I haven’t seen my family in nine years," she wept, highlighting the human cost of diplomatic breakdowns. State-Wise Action to Enforce Departures Across India, state governments moved swiftly to ensure compliance with the Home Ministry's directives:

• Maharashtra reported that all Pakistani short-term visa holders were accounted for and arrangements for their exit were complete. Around 5,050 Pakistanis reside in Maharashtra, mostly on long-term visas.
• Bihar confirmed that all Pakistani visitors had already left before the deadline.
• Telangana recorded 208 Pakistani nationals, with only 13 on short-term visas, all of whom have exited.
• Kerala reported 104 Pakistani nationals, of which only five with short-term visas left as required.
• Madhya Pradesh and Odisha reported the exit of almost all short-term visa holders.
• Goa, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh also undertook swift action. In Gujarat, seven short-term visa holders were asked to leave, while in UP, the process was reportedly fully completed by April 27.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah personally engaged with state chief ministers, urging strict compliance. Following his intervention, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan convened a video conference with chief secretaries to monitor the process closely. Broader Diplomatic Fallout: Visa Cancellations and Tit-for-Tat Measures The recent Pahalgam terror attack acted as a catalyst for India to harden its approach towards Pakistan. The cancellation of visas, the expulsion of defence officials, and a range of tit-for-tat diplomatic actions have pushed relations to a new low. India’s measures reflect a strategic recalibration, emphasizing national security and conveying a clear message against any perceived tolerance towards terrorism. Pakistan, predictably, has responded with reciprocal steps, further exacerbating tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Such rapid deterioration has historical precedents, but the swiftness of recent actions underscores a tougher Indian stance compared to previous incidents. Crackdown on Illegal Encroachments and Unauthorised Establishments in Border Areas In a parallel development indicative of India's heightened internal security posture, the Uttar Pradesh government has launched a sweeping crackdown against illegal encroachments and unauthorised religious establishments in districts bordering Nepal. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, authorities demolished hundreds of illegal structures within a 10-15 km belt along the international boundary. Notably, in Shravasti district alone, action was taken against 119 illegal encroachments, including 17 unauthorised madrasas. Similar operations occurred in Siddharthnagar, Maharajganj, Balrampur, and Bahraich. Officials stated that the aim is to secure sensitive areas near the border and ensure the lawful use of government land. Many madrasas were closed due to non-submission of requisite documentation, including seven in Shravasti district alone. The emphasis on cleaning up unauthorised settlements and ensuring tighter border area management reflects India's broader strategy to bolster its internal security architecture in times of escalating external threats. An Era of Heightened Vigilance and Security The mass departure of Pakistani nationals from India signals a watershed moment in Indo-Pakistani relations, triggered by the fresh wave of terrorism and underpinned by a hardening Indian security outlook. While the immediate actions have been administrative and diplomatic, they reflect a deeper and more sustained strategic recalibration. At the grassroots, the crackdown on illegal encroachments and unauthorised religious establishments in sensitive border districts adds another layer of national security reinforcement. As the two neighbors navigate yet another turbulent chapter, it becomes increasingly clear that a return to status quo ante is unlikely without a fundamental reassessment of the underlying tensions. For now, India appears determined to send an unequivocal message: safeguarding national security and sovereignty will remain its paramount priority, irrespective of the diplomatic fallout.   (With agency inputs)