Patna: In the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, the Indian government has revoked all valid visas issued to Pakistani nationals, prompting a swift and quietly unfolding operation in Patna, where 27 Pakistani citizens have been ordered to exit the country by April 27.
These individuals—many of whom had extended their visas citing family events like marriages or personal illnesses—are now under watch by the foreign branch of Patna police, which has issued formal notices through local police stations. The order, seen as part of a broader national security response, follows a Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting convened after the April 22 attack in Pahalgam, where 27 tourists were killed.
Sources said most of these Pakistani nationals are staying in Sabzibagh, Samanpura and Phulwarisharif, and had initially arrived on short-term visas ranging from three to seven days. Their presence was extended through formal requests, now rendered void.
With the Attari-Wagah border closed and deportations underway, those returning via flights are required to submit attested copies of tickets and boarding passes, along with the testimony of two local individuals. Rail travellers must similarly furnish ticket copies. Failure to comply may result in arrest under the Foreigners Act, with police authorised to act on charges of illegal stay.
A special branch team is now retracing the movement, interactions, and locations visited by the 27 individuals during their stay in Bihar, as the Home Department intensifies scrutiny of foreign nationals in the state. Officials admitted gaps in tracking data: while the entry of foreign visitors is recorded, their travel within Bihar and eventual exit often goes unmonitored.
According to state protocol, every foreign national must inform the local Superintendent of Police and District Magistrate, yet officials revealed that enforcement of this process has remained inconsistent.
This operation, though quiet, marks a significant moment for Bihar’s internal security framework, raising new questions about how foreign nationals are tracked and monitored across the state.
