India Issues Travel Advisory Amid Rising Tensions: Citizens Urged to Avoid Pakistan, Return Immediately

 New Delhi | April 24, 2025 — In a significant escalation of precautionary measures following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack, the Government of India on Thursday issued a formal advisory urging all Indian citizens to refrain from travelling to Pakistan. Additionally, Indian nationals currently residing in Pakistan have been advised to return to India at the earliest opportunity.

The advisory, issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), comes in the wake of the April 22 terrorist assault in Jammu and Kashmir, where gunmen believed to be affiliated with Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba killed 26 civilians, including foreign tourists, and injured several others in the Pahalgam region.

“Indian nationals are strongly advised to avoid all travel to Pakistan. Those currently in Pakistan are also advised to return to India at the earliest,” the MEA stated in an official release.

The travel advisory forms part of a wider set of diplomatic and security responses by New Delhi, following what it has described as clear cross-border involvement in the attack. Earlier this week, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) convened under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, resulting in a series of stringent actions against Pakistan.

These include:

• Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty: A landmark 1960 agreement regulating water-sharing between the two nations.
  
  
• Downgrading of diplomatic ties: Including the expulsion of Pakistani military attachés and reduction in mission strength at both ends.
  
  
• Visa Suspension: All existing Indian visas issued to Pakistani nationals have been revoked with effect from April 27, 2025. Medical visas will remain valid until April 29, 2025, after which all Pakistani nationals currently in India must return before their visa expiry.

The Indian government has described the Pahalgam attack as one of the worst in recent years, underscoring the grave threat posed by terror networks allegedly operating with impunity across the border. The Resistance Front (TRF), a known proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

A senior MEA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the advisory and visa revocation are "measured but firm steps" to ensure national security while also sending a strong message to Islamabad.

The broader geopolitical implications of this shift remain under close scrutiny. Analysts note that such advisories and diplomatic disengagements, while necessary under the present circumstances, could deepen the existing chill in bilateral relations and complicate future engagement prospects.

As regional and global stakeholders continue to monitor the fallout, India has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding its citizens and pursuing justice for the victims of the April 22 attack with the full force of law and diplomacy.