Odisha begins deportation of 12 Pakistani nationals after the Indian government revoked their visas following the Pahalgam terror attack. Authorities have instructed them to leave India by April 27, with strict penal actions for non-compliance. Long-term visas, however, remain valid.
Odisha has begun the process to deport 12 Pakistani nationals whose visas were recently revoked. This decision is part of a broader nationwide effort to ensure the exit of Pakistani citizens whose visas have been canceled in the aftermath of the recent Pahalgam terror attack.
Director General of Police (DGP) Yogesh Bahadur Khurania announced on Saturday that 12 Pakistani nationals residing in Odisha have been identified. Authorities are coordinating efforts to ensure their departure by the stipulated deadline.
Bhubaneswar Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Jagmohan Meena addressed the media, confirming that one Pakistani national was found living in the capital city. “The individual has already completed exit formalities through the online process, and clearance was granted on Friday,” DCP Meena stated. A ‘Leave India’ notice has been officially served.
Instructions have been issued to the remaining Pakistani nationals across Odisha, mandating their exit from India by April 27. The state government had earlier directed all district officers to verify and update records following the Ministry of Home Affairs’ order to revoke Pakistani visas across 14 categories.
“There was an order from the Government of India under which visas of Pakistani nationals living in India have been revoked. Based on this, the state government directed district officers to verify records. During this exercise, one Pakistani national was found residing in Bhubaneswar. We contacted him, and he had already applied for an exit permit, which was approved today,” Meena explained.
Officials further clarified that Pakistani nationals failing to comply with the April 27 deadline will be treated as overstaying foreign nationals, which could result in penal actions under Indian immigration laws.
The mass visa cancellation is seen as part of India’s firm diplomatic response to rising concerns over cross-border terrorism. However, the Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that Pakistani nationals holding long-term visas will not be affected by this order and their documents will remain valid.
As Odisha moves to implement the center’s directive, similar actions are being taken by authorities across several other Indian states to ensure complete compliance with the government’s decision.
