Emotions ran high near an India-Pakistan border checkpoint as dozens of Pakistani women, married to Indian men, gathered to return home within a strict 48-hour deadline. The sudden directive, issued in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, asked all Pakistani nationals on temporary re-entry visas to leave India without delay.
Most of these women had entered India for brief family visits or medical needs, some even to give birth. Now, forced to pack up overnight, many are struggling to reach departure points like Attari, hundreds of kilometers away from where they were staying.
One woman’s video from the scene went viral, showing her in tears as she described the chaos. “We’re told to leave in 48 hours. It’s impossible. My husband had to spend a lakh for our tickets,” she said, desperate yet determined to reach her family.
Despite their pleas, border officials stuck to protocol, thoroughly checking each person’s documents, visas, identity cards, and marriage proofs before allowing them to proceed. The border zone quickly turned into a temporary shelter, with women holding babies, clutching files, and waiting under the blazing sun.
Online, the footage sparked sympathy and debate, blending human tragedy with political tension. Many of these women had planned only short stays but now find themselves hurriedly returning, unsure of when they’ll come back.
For now, their journey continues heavy-hearted and uncertain.
