Bengaluru, 26 April

Authorities have identified 92 Pakistani nationals legally residing across State, with four based in City and others spread across districts including Mysuru, Mangaluru, Bhatkal, Davanagere and Uttara Kannada. 

Of these, 88 are on long-term visas, mostly due to cross-border marriages.

Following the terror attack in Pahalgam, where 26 tourists and one Nepali national were gunned down, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed all states to identify and deport Pakistani nationals. 

Home Minister G Parameshwara confirmed on Saturday that all Superintendents of Police have been instructed to compile lists of Pakistani nationals residing in their districts. He added that those on long-term visas would be exempt, but students and short-term visa holders must return. Medical visa holders have been asked to leave by 27 April.

Parameshwara stated the State has been on high alert since the Pahalgam attack. 'Strict action will be taken against illegal residents. Central intelligence officials are in Bengaluru and will be alerted if any sleeper cells are detected,' he said.

Police have already issued exit notices to several Pakistani nationals, but admitted that the number of illegal residents remains uncertain. A detailed probe is underway.

In Uttara Kannada district alone, 15 Pakistani nationals reside, many of them women married to local men and raising children. Officials suggest such families may be excluded from immediate deportation, depending on Centre guidelines.

9 Pak nationals ordered to leave from Kalaburagi

Kalaburagi City Police Commissioner SD Sharanappa has directed nine Pakistani nationals residing in the city to return to their home country.

Addressing reporters on Saturday at the Commissioner’s office, Sharanappa confirmed that of the nine Pakistani nationals living in Kalaburagi, two are on long-term visas while seven are on visitor visas. All have reportedly been residing in the city for nearly two decades.

As part of the compliance measures, notices have been issued to six individuals—three women and three men—currently on visitor visas. One Pakistani woman, who also held a visitor visa, has already received travel clearance and has departed for the United States.