Pakistan Reopens Attari-Wagah Border, Allows Return of Stranded Nationals After Brief Standoff

Attari : Pakistan on Friday reopened the Attari-Wagah border crossing, allowing dozens of its stranded nationals to return home a day after refusing them entry, triggering a brief but tense standoff at the international checkpoint.

The development follows the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives and led Indian authorities to issue a directive for Pakistani nationals on short-term visas to leave the country. In response, cross-border movements through Attari-Wagah intensified over the past week.

On Thursday, May 1, over three dozen Pakistani citizens, including women, children, and the elderly, had gathered at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) in Attari, Punjab, with valid travel documents. Indian officials had reportedly made all necessary arrangements for their smooth exit. However, to their dismay, the Pakistani side of the border remained shut, offering no explanation and leaving families stranded in searing heat and uncertain conditions overnight.

Friday’s unannounced reopening brought much-needed relief as the gates were finally opened, allowing the stranded individuals to cross back into Pakistan. No formal communication was issued by Islamabad either before the closure or during the reopening of the border.

"The Indian side had kept the corridor open throughout. The returnees were permitted to exit as per standard protocols," a government official in Attari told News18, on condition of anonymity.

Diplomatic ties between the two countries remain strained in the wake of the Pahalgam attack, and while the reopening marks a temporary de-escalation, the lack of clarity from Pakistan continues to raise concerns over the handling of humanitarian and bilateral protocols.

Analysts view the incident as another reflection of the fragile state of cross-border engagement, where even routine procedures are susceptible to sudden disruptions.