The recent steps and countermeasures taken by India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam attack have taken citizens of both countries by surprise, forcing many to cut short their visits and return home abruptly.
Several Pakistani families were turned back at the Wagah border after India unexpectedly cancelled their visas.
Among those affected was a Sikh family from India who had traveled to Pakistan to attend a wedding. Their visit was cut short, leaving several traditional wedding rituals incomplete.
On Thursday, 28 Pakistani nationals returned from India, while 105 Indian citizens residing in Pakistan crossed back into India.
Reports indicate that India has asked all Pakistani citizens holding general visas to leave the country by May 1.
Those holding SAARC visas have been granted only 48 hours to exit.
A Hindu family from Sibi, Balochistan, also had to return after being denied entry into India.
They were en route to Indore, Madhya Pradesh, to attend a wedding. "Seven members of our family were excited to join our relatives in India and take part in the celebrations," said Akshay Kumar, a family member. "But upon reaching Wagah, we learned that the border had been sealed. We will now spend the night at Dera Sahib in Lahore and head home tomorrow."
Similarly, Sardar Raminder Singh, a member of the Sikh wedding party from India, said: "We had come to Pakistan for a wedding. While the ceremony took place, several important rituals remained. Once we heard the border was closed, we decided to return immediately. The groom will also leave in a few days."
Families with cross-border ties often bear the brunt of rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
The current situation is especially difficult for Pakistani Hindu families who previously migrated to India and were granted No Objection Return to India (NORI) visas.
These families now face uncertainty and delays due to border restrictions.
Another Hindu family from Ghotki, Sindh, who had been residing in New Delhi, also encountered complications.
They had returned to Pakistan two months ago to meet relatives and perform religious rites. Indira, a family member, stated: "There are five of us, including my young son and daughter, uncle and aunt. We all hold Pakistani passports and were granted NORI visas by India. But now, we are being denied re-entry."
With tensions between Pakistan and India once again on the rise, human connections across borders are becoming the first casualty.
The closure of the Wagah-Attari border has left many families in limbo, uncertain when they will next reunite with their loved ones.
Meanwhile, Indian authorities have announced significant restrictions on the traditional flag-lowering ceremony held daily at the Wagah/Attari border.
Citing security concerns following the Pahalgam attack, India's Border Security Force (BSF) has decided to curtail joint activities with Pakistan Rangers Punjab at multiple border points.
According to official sources, the BSF has informed Pakistan Rangers about changes to the long-standing ritual, which is a symbol of military discipline and national pride observed every evening at the Wagah, Ganda Singh, Hussainiwala, and Head Sulemanki border crossings.
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