Abdul Waheed Bhat, an alleged Pakistani national who had been living in India since 1980, died on Wednesday during the deportation process at the Attari-Wagah border.
Bhat, who was around 80 years old and reportedly suffering from paralysis, fell critically ill and passed away inside a bus stationed outside the Integrated Check Post gate in Attari. His body was taken to Civil Hospital, Amritsar.
Bhat was part of a group of 60 to 70 alleged Pakistani nationals who had been brought from Jammu by police for deportation to Pakistan via the Attari border.
He had been served a formal “notice to leave India” by the Foreigner Registration Office, Srinagar, citing his illegal stay since the expiry of his visa in 1980. According to the notice dated April 25, 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs had directed that all foreign nationals staying illegally must leave India by April 27.
Bhat was in the process of being deported under this directive when his condition fatally deteriorated.
Officials said Bhat died inside the bus before the handover process at the border could be completed. He was travelling alone as he did not have any children.
Sources said Bhat’s body remained inside the bus as Indian authorities were uncertain whether he had valid documents for deportation.
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“The Jammu and Kashmir police have brought for deportation some persons who don’t have passports or the required certificate from the Pakistani embassy in Delhi. We cannot deport people who lack either. It is still unclear whether Bhat had a Pakistani passport,” said a source.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
