After Pahalgam Terror Attack, Amit Shah Orders Strict Action: Pakistani Nationals Must Be Identified and Deported

KKN Gurugram Desk | Following the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government has adopted a series of decisive measures aimed at strengthening national security and delivering a stern message to Pakistan. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has instructed all state Chief Ministers to identify Pakistani nationals residing in India whose visas have expired and ensure their swift deportation.

This directive is part of a broader crackdown initiated after Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired an emergency security meeting earlier this week.

Home Minister Amit Shah’s Directives: No Overstaying Pakistani Citizen Should Remain

Sources confirmed that Home Minister Amit Shah personally spoke to Chief Ministers across all states and Union Territories, emphasizing that:

• Every Pakistani national whose visa validity has ended must be located.

• States must ensure immediate steps are taken to deport such individuals.

• Law enforcement must stay vigilant against any potential sleeper cells or terror networks operating under civilian guise.

Amit Shah’s message was clear: zero tolerance for any overstaying Pakistani citizens in India.

Visa Cancellations and Indus Water Treaty Suspension: A Multi-Pronged Response

The Modi government wasted no time in initiating concrete actions following the Pahalgam attack:

1. Immediate cancellation of all Pakistani visas — encompassing tourist, business, and student visas.

2. Formal notification to Pakistan about the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, a pivotal agreement on river water sharing signed in 1960.

3. Heightened border security across the Line of Control (LoC) and international boundaries.

4. Special operations launched in sensitive areas to detect illegal residents and neutralize any potential threats.

These measures demonstrate India’s resolve to isolate Pakistan diplomatically, economically, and operationally.

Indus Water Treaty Suspension: A Major Blow to Pakistan

Perhaps the most significant move after the visa cancellations is the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty.
The Indus system supports around 210 million people in Pakistan, providing a crucial water lifeline for agriculture, industry, and daily consumption.

By suspending the treaty:

• India gains strategic leverage in bilateral relations.

• Pakistan faces a potential severe water crisis, impacting food security and public health.

• The suspension adds economic pressure alongside diplomatic isolation.

Official sources confirmed that India formally informed Pakistan through a written communication delivered by Devashree Mukherjee, Secretary of the Ministry of Jal Shakti, to Syed Ali Murtaza, Secretary of Pakistan’s Ministry of Water Resources.

Internal Coordination Meetings Underway: Shah at the Helm

Home Minister Amit Shah has also convened several high-level meetings with top officials, including:

• CR Paatil, Minister of Jal Shakti

• Senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs

• Intelligence Bureau and RAW representatives

The focus areas include:

• Review of internal security preparedness.

• Framework for the swift deportation process.

• Strategies for managing diplomatic fallout internationally.

• Operational readiness for any cross-border escalation.

A dedicated team has been assigned to monitor the execution of deportation orders on a state-by-state basis.

State Governments Mobilized: From Identification to Deportation

Following Shah’s instructions, state governments have activated:

• Local intelligence units to trace expired visa holders.

• Special verification drives in border areas, universities, and urban clusters.

• Immediate legal proceedings where necessary, under the Foreigners Act, 1946.

States like Punjab, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Delhi have been marked as priority zones due to higher concentrations of Pakistani nationals.

A senior Home Ministry official remarked:
“State agencies have been given a clear mandate — identify, document, and deport without administrative delays. National security is non-negotiable.”

Continuing Political and Public Reactions: A Country on High Alert

The series of moves taken by the government has drawn sharp reactions domestically:

• BJP leaders have hailed it as “a bold, necessary action to protect India’s sovereignty.”

• Opposition parties have demanded transparency on whether deportation will follow due legal process.

• Security experts have largely supported the decision, emphasizing the importance of robust internal vetting systems.

Public sentiment, especially on social media, appears largely supportive of stronger action against foreign elements perceived as security risks.

Pahalgam Attack: What Triggered This Response?

The Pahalgam terror attack, believed to be orchestrated by Pakistan-based militant organizations, resulted in:

• Multiple civilian casualties including tourists and local residents.

• Renewed concerns over terror infrastructure operating out of Pakistani territory.

• A rallying call for stricter national security policies.

Investigations suggest the attack had high-level planning and aimed at disrupting the peaceful tourism season in Kashmir, a sector already recovering from previous disturbances.

Broader Implications: India’s Changing Stance Towards Pakistan

The Modi government’s post-Pahalgam decisions underline a shift from reactive diplomacy to proactive national security measures:

• Economic disengagement through water treaty suspension.

• Social disengagement via visa cancellations.

• Security tightening through deportation drives and heightened surveillance.

This layered response aims to weaken Pakistan’s ability to indirectly influence internal Indian security and to send a strong international message.

Upcoming Meetings and Further Announcements

Sources hint that the government may consider additional steps, including:

• Stricter visa protocols for citizens from other high-risk countries.

• Strengthening the National Register of Citizens (NRC) to track foreigners.

• Enhancing counter-terror operations in sensitive border states.

A special cabinet committee on security is expected to meet again in early May to review the situation.

The Pahalgam terror attack has served as a grim reminder that India’s security architecture must continually evolve. By acting swiftly — cancelling visas, deporting illegal residents, suspending critical bilateral agreements — the Modi government has signaled that national security supersedes diplomatic niceties.

As Home Minister Amit Shah leads the charge on the ground, the message to both domestic and international audiences is unmistakable: India will act firmly to protect its citizens and sovereignty.

The next few weeks will be critical as deportations begin, diplomatic exchanges intensify, and the broader geopolitical impact of the Indus Water Treaty suspension unfolds.