On 1 May 2025, Pakistan abruptly closed the Attari-Wagah border, denying entry to its own citizens who had already been cleared to return by Indian authorities. In this report, we have documented 15 similar incidents between 1971 and 2025, in which Pakistan refused to accept its nationals—or even their mortal remains—following border-related incidents such as infiltration attempts, terror attacks, and visa disputes.
#1 Pakistan Shuts Wagah Border, Refuses Entry To Own Citizens
On 1 May 2025, Pakistan abruptly closed the Attari-Wagah border, stranding several of its citizens in India despite Indian clearance for their return. The move followed India’s directive for Pakistani nationals on short-term visas to exit after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26. Among those affected were pilgrims and families seeking reunification. An Indian woman, Naamra, was denied entry to reunite with her family in Lahore. Despite India facilitating departures, Islamabad offered no explanation for its refusal to accept returning citizens, deepening the diplomatic standoff and humanitarian frustration at the border.
#2 Pak Intruder Killed Near Jammu Border, Refused By Pak Rangers, Buried Locally
On 4 April 2025, a Pakistani infiltrator was shot dead by BSF troops near the International Border in Jammu’s RS Pura sector after he ignored warnings and crossed into Indian territory. The man, aged around 35, was unarmed and his identity remains unknown. Following standard procedure, India lodged a protest with the Pakistan Rangers during a flag meeting, but they refused to accept the body. After a post-mortem, the local police, with the help of community members, buried the body in Agra Chak with full Islamic rites. The incident occurred ahead of Home Minister Amit Shah’s J&K visit.
#3 Pak Refuses To Accept Slain Intruder Killed By BSF In Arnia
On 3 January 2022, BSF troops shot dead a Pakistani intruder near Arnia in Jammu during a late-night border patrol. Despite clear evidence linking the man to Pakistan—including a sack labeled “Karachi Fertilizers Company” and a COVID-19 vaccine certificate verified by Pakistani authorities—Islamabad refused to accept the body. A second intruder was also killed nearby. BSF recovered arms, ammunition, and heroin near the site. Despite Pakistan’s denial, Indian officials emphasized the infiltration attempt, while a Pakistani analyst dismissed the claims, alleging India targets civilians—an accusation India strongly denied.
#4 Pakistani Drug Smugglers Killed By BSF; Pakistan Refused To Accept Bodies
On 13 September 2020, BSF personnel shot dead two Pakistani drug smugglers in Rajasthan’s Anupgarh sector as they attempted to cross the border with 8 kg of heroin, pistols, and night-vision binoculars. One of the intruders was identified as Shahbaz Ali, with a Pakistani ID card recovered from him. The smugglers threw drug packets over the fence before being intercepted and killed. Despite BSF’s attempt to return the bodies, Pakistan refused to accept them. Indian police later buried the bodies locally.
#5 Pak Intruder Shot Dead Near Attari; Pakistan Refused To Claim Body
On 16 October 2019, BSF troops shot dead a Pakistani intruder, identified as Gulnawaz, near Gate 103 at the Attari border in Punjab. The man attempted to illegally cross into Indian territory via the railway track, ignoring repeated warnings from BSF personnel. Following standard protocol, a flag meeting was held, but Pakistan Rangers refused to accept the body despite clear evidence of his Pakistani origin. Items recovered from the body included a salwar-kameez set, Pakistani currency (Rs 160), a purse, SIM card, memory card, cigarette packet, and a lighter, further confirming his nationality.
#6 Army Foils BAT Infiltration in Keran; Pakistan Refuses To Claim Bodies
On 4 August 2019, the Indian Army thwarted a major infiltration attempt by Pakistan’s Border Action Team (BAT) in the Keran sector of Jammu & Kashmir. Five to seven intruders, including Pakistani Army special forces and terrorists, were killed. Despite offers from India to hand over the bodies, Pakistan refused to accept them. The Army recovered weapons, IEDs, and mines with Pakistani markings, proving Islamabad’s involvement. The operation followed increased ceasefire violations and threats to the Amarnath Yatra. Search efforts were hampered by Pakistani interference, and additional Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorists were eliminated across the Valley.
Indian Army: Have offered Pakistan Army to take over the dead bodies(of 5-7 Pak BAT army regulars/terrorists). Pakistan Army has been offered to approach with white flag and take over the dead bodies for last rites,they are yet to respond. pic.twitter.com/x1mF7yHSyv
— ANI (@ANI) August 4, 2019
#7 Pakistan Refuses to Reclaim BAT Intruders Killed in Sunderbani
On 21 October 2018, the Indian Army foiled an infiltration attempt along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sunderbani sector, killing two heavily armed Pakistani intruders believed to be part of Pakistan’s Border Action Team (BAT). Three Indian soldiers also lost their lives in the gunfight. The intruders, dressed in combat gear, were not claimed by Pakistan despite formal communication from India to retrieve the bodies. This was the seventh infiltration attempt foiled since May 2018, with 23 terrorists neutralized.
#8 Pakistan Denies Identity of Intruders Killed by BSF in Punjab
On 3 May 2018, the Border Security Force (BSF) killed intruders near the Gatty Basoke border in Punjab around 3:45 a.m. During the operation, BSF recovered a pistol, five rounds of ammunition, and two mobile SIM cards. Despite being notified, the Pakistan Rangers refused to accept the bodies, claiming the deceased were not Pakistani nationals. BSF officials stated they had sufficient proof of the intruders’ Pakistani identity. With Pakistan’s denial, the bodies, stored at a local hospital, were later handed over to civil authorities for cremation.
#9 Pakistan Refuses to Repatriate Convicted Spy Sajid Munir
On 12 April 2017, Pakistan refused to accept Sajid Munir, a citizen from Rahimyaar, Punjab, convicted of espionage in India. Arrested in 2002 in Bhopal with maps of sensitive installations, Sajid was sentenced to 12 years. Despite completing his term in June 2016, Pakistan denied his identity and repatriation. Indian authorities provided proof of his nationality, including personal confessions and embassy documentation, but Islamabad has remained uncooperative. Officials believe Pakistan’s refusal aims to hide its intelligence operations. Sajid remained detained in Bhopal, with two other convicted Pakistani spies held in Madhya Pradesh prisons under similar circumstances.
#10 Pakistan Denies Repatriation of Intruder Killed in Pathankot
On 3 December 2016, Pakistani authorities refused to accept the body of a suspected intruder shot dead by the Border Security Force (BSF) near Tinda border outpost in Pathankot, Punjab. Despite recovering Pakistani currency and personal items from the body, Pakistan Rangers denied the individual’s nationality during a flag meeting. Officials suspect two more intruders may have fled under BSF fire. The area is known for previous militant infiltrations, including the 2016 Pathankot airbase attack. The refusal underscores Pakistan’s recurring denial of links to cross-border infiltrators, despite mounting evidence found during such incidents. A post-mortem was conducted.
#11 Bangladesh Accuses Pakistan of Breaching 1974 Repatriation Pact
On 14 May 2016, Bangladesh accused Pakistan of violating the 1974 tripartite agreement by refusing to repatriate thousands of stranded Pakistani citizens, primarily Urdu-speaking ‘Biharis’ who remained in Bangladesh after the 1971 Liberation War. Bangladesh’s Law Minister stated that while Bangladesh honored the treaty by repatriating Pakistani soldiers, Pakistan failed to uphold its obligations. The diplomatic row intensified after the execution of war criminal Motiur Rahman Nizami, prompting Pakistan’s protest. Bangladesh refuted claims that the agreement prevented it from prosecuting its own nationals involved in 1971 atrocities, calling Pakistan’s stance a “deliberate misinterpretation” of the treaty’s terms.
#12 Pakistan Refuses to Claim 26/11 Terrorists’ Bodies
On 11 August 2009, India revealed that Pakistan had refused to accept the bodies of nine terrorists killed during the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, despite repeated requests. The bodies, confirmed as Pakistani nationals through captured terrorist Ajmal Kasab’s testimony, remained unclaimed in a Mumbai mortuary for over eight months. Mumbai Police urged the Union Home Ministry to expedite the transfer due to decomposition concerns. Simultaneously, Pakistan’s opposition criticized the government for allowing Indian films and serials on cable TV, accusing them of promoting Indian culture and corrupting the youth, sparking debate in the National Assembly over media regulations.
#13 Pakistan Denies Identity of Ansal Plaza Terrorists
On 8 November 2002, Pakistan refused to accept the bodies of two militants killed in a shootout with Delhi Police at the Ansal Plaza shopping complex in New Delhi on November 2. The deceased were identified as Dawood from Kasoor and Ezaz from Gujranwala, both in Pakistan. However, Pakistan’s Charge d’Affaires, Jaleel Abbas Jilani, dismissed the encounter as fake and denied that the two were Pakistani nationals. He rejected the evidence provided by Indian authorities and accused Delhi Police of fabricating the incident.
#14 Pakistan Refused Bodies of Kargil Soldiers; India Buried 244 With Honours
During the 1999 Kargil War, Pakistan refused to accept the bodies of its soldiers, including officers like Capt. Karnal Sher Khan and Capt. Imtiaz Malik. Despite Indian efforts via the Red Cross and offers to allow family identification, Pakistan demanded the bodies be sent to Islamabad for verification—an unprecedented request India denied. Ultimately, only a few bodies were returned; the Indian Army buried 244 Pakistani soldiers with military honours and Islamic rites. India accused Pakistan of disrespecting its soldiers and avoiding acknowledgment of its army’s role in the war, which Pakistan publicly admitted only in 2024.
#15 Pakistan Refuses Body of Teen Found Near Border
On May 15, 2016, the Border Security Force (BSF) found the body of a 13-year-old Pakistani boy near Border Pillar No. 1080 in Rajasthan. The boy, suspected to have died from heatstroke, was discovered on Indian territory but within the Pakistan side of the border fence. He was wearing a kurta-pyjama and had signs of bleeding. BSF officials conducted a flag meeting with Pakistan Rangers to return the body, but Pakistan refused to accept it. The refusal raised humanitarian concerns and highlighted the strained relations between the two countries even in cases involving civilians.
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