Kathmandu [Nepal]: Dozens of protesters from various organizations gathered outside the Pakistan Embassy in Kathmandu on Saturday, accusing Pakistan of harboring terrorists and carrying out attacks on Hindus, following the recent incident in Pahalgam.
The demonstrators burned a photo of the Pakistani Army Chief and tore up the Pakistani flag in an expression of their anger and frustration. “All Nepalis should unite against them and raise our voices; that’s why we are here,” Nawaraj Bhandari, a protest leader, told ANI during the march toward the embassy.
The protest involved four different groups, including members from the right-wing Hindu party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), who chanted slogans such as “Down with Pakistan,” “Pakistan Embassy, leave Nepal,” “down with terror-harboring states,” and “Save Hindu minorities.”
Police set up barricades to block access to the newly relocated Pakistani Embassy, preventing the protesters from reaching it. The demonstrators demanded government action in response to the killing of a Nepali citizen by terrorists supposedly backed by Pakistan, asserting that the attack was a deliberate targeting of Hindus.
“It is clear that Hindus were targeted. The attackers asked tourists about their religion before opening fire. This shows a clear attempt to suppress and attack Hindus. While India takes action, we also want the Government of Nepal to respond similarly,” one protester stated.
The outrage in Kathmandu follows a deadly attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where 26 people were killed, including 27-year-old Sudeep Neupane from Butwal Sub-Metropolitan City-14, who was on vacation with his family. The attackers reportedly targeted tourists based on their religion before shooting them at point-blank range, injuring nearly two dozen others.
In the wake of the protest, security was intensified near the Pakistani Embassy, with additional police forces deployed to manage the situation after the protestors engaged in slogan chanting and conducted a sit-in, including the act of tearing the image of the Pakistani Army Chief and burning it.
In related developments, the Indian government announced on Friday the revocation of all categories of visas issued to Pakistani citizens, with the exception of long-term, diplomatic, and official visas, effective April 27. Medical visas for Pakistani nationals will remain valid only until April 29.
“The Government of India has revoked all existing visas for Pakistani nationals, except Long Term, Diplomatic, and Official visas, starting April 27, 2025,” the Ministry of Home Affairs stated.
Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan held a video conference with chief secretaries across states, urging them to take necessary actions in light of the new directives. This policy shift aims to tighten border security and regulate the presence of Pakistani nationals in India. Following this, Union Home Minister Amit Shah consulted with state chief ministers, instructing them to identify Pakistani nationals in their areas and ensure their prompt deportation.
