Just a day after India closed the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari in Amritsar, the Octroi Post at India-Pakistan International Border was shut for civilian movement by the BSF on Friday. No civilians will be allowed to visit the border at the Octroi Border Security Force post in Suchetgarh, RS Pura sector of Jammu and Kashmir, which is also a popular tourist spot.
The Border Security Force (BSF) has stated that the retreat ceremonies were “scaled down” at Attari, Hussainiwala and Sadki along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab. The India International border runs from Jammu in the north to Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat on India’s west.
This is a retaliatory move by India following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people on April 22. The move highlights India’s concern over cross-border hostilities.
Pahalgam Terror Attack by Pakistan-based terrorist group
In a ghastly terror attack in Kashmir’s Pahalgam on Tuesday, 25 tourists and one local resident were gunned down by a group of terrorists in the Baisaran meadow, popularly known as ‘Mini-Switzerland’. The terror attacks has been carried out by The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
This marks one of the deadliest attacks on our nation in recent years and has triggered a strong response from India, which has accused Pakistan of facilitating and promoting cross-border terrorism.
In a significant retaliatory move, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 with immediate effect. The suspension is expected to have a major impact on Pakistan, where a large portion of cultivated land depends on water from the Indus River system.
India Shuts Attari Border, delivers financial blow to Pakistan
India announced immediate closure of the Integrated Check Post at Attari within 24 hours of the deadly terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam and served an economic blow to Pakistan. Foreign secretary Vikram Misri stated on Wednesday, “Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before 1st May 2025,” clarifying that the route will remain open for returnees only for a limited time.
Why Attari Border is significant?
Attari, located just 28 kilometres from Amritsar, is India’s first Land Port and the only permitted land route for trade with Pakistan. Spread across 120 acres and directly connected to national highway-I, the check post has played a crucial role in cross-border trade, particularly in imports from Afghanistan. The Attari-Wagah corridor has witnessed fluctuating figures in trade and passenger movement over the years.
In 2023-24, the land port recorded trade worth Rs 3,886.53 crore with 6,871 cargo movements and 71,563 passenger crossings. The Attari Land Port has long served as a critical trade conduit between India and Pakistan, handling a variety of goods. Key Indian exports through the route include soybean, chicken feed, vegetables, red chilies, plastic dana, and plastic yarn.
