Pahalgam terror attack: Maharashtra govt has sought details of Pakistani nationals living in state, says CM Devendra Fadnavis

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis was speaking to mediapersons in Mumbai, on Friday. Pic/X

Maharashtra Chief Minister (CM) Devendra Fadnavis on Friday announced a stringent crackdown on Pakistani nationals overstaying in the state, following a Central government decision to suspend visa services for citizens of Pakistan, news agency ANI reported.

Speaking to the media, Fadnavis said, "The Central government has decided to suspend visa services for Pakistani nationals who have come to India. We have sought a list (of Pakistani nationals who have come to India), they are being identified and police officials have been instructed to ensure that no Pakistani national stays in Maharashtra for more than 48 hours...Action will be taken against Pakistani nationals who overstay [in Maharashtra]."

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The CM emphasised that all district police units have been directed to conduct strict surveillance and ensure compliance with the new directive, ANI reported.

"We will monitor it fully and send them out. Those who overstay will face legal action," he said.

Fadnavis also confirmed that he held a detailed discussion with Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the issue. "I had a detailed talk with the Union Home Minister and action will be taken as per his guidance," he informed.

Earlier in the day, the Union Home Minister spoke with all the CMs and asked them to identify the Pakistani nationals in their respective states and take steps to ensure their prompt return to Pakistan.

A decision has been made to cancel all types of visas, effective immediately, for Pakistani nationals. The move comes amid a slew of decisions taken by New Delhi following the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people, mostly tourists, died.

Pahalgam terror attack: As tourists are flown back, allies BJP, Shiv Sena jostle for credit

The elaborate efforts to bring back of tourists to Maharashtra following the Pahalgam terror attack on Tuesday seems to have triggered a game of one-upmanship between Mahayuti allies Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena.

While the CM's Office on Friday posted on social media platform X that 500 tourists had been brought back to the state so far in special flights arranged by the state government on the instructions of Devendra Fadnavis, the Sena credited Shinde for it.

The Shiv Sena said it brought back 520 passengers from Srinagar on four different flights, with Deputy CM Shinde personally overseeing the relief efforts, reported PTI.

"The air expenses for 520 tourists were borne by the Shiv Sena," a functionary from Shinde's office said.

Meanwhile, the CMO statement said another batch of 237 tourists will land in Maharashtra on Friday, adding that Fadnavis reviewed the situation with cabinet minister Girish Mahajan on Thursday. If more flights were needed to bring back the remaining tourists, the state government will bear the expenses, Fadnavis was quoted as saying.

(With ANI and PTI inputs)