Structures near visa section of Pak high commission removed
Indian authorities removed queue management barriers and unauthorised structures outside the Pakistan high commission in a tit-for-tat action following the removal of certain structures outside the Indian mission in Islamabad, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday
Indian authorities dismantled unauthorized structures and queue management barriers encircling the Pakistan High Commission's visa section on Wednesday, in retaliation for the removal of similar obstacles outside the Indian mission in Islamabad, according to sources close to the situation. Heavy machinery was employed to demolish the unauthorized constructions near the visa office, situated on a minor road adjacent to the mission compound, sources said under anonymity.
The action transpired two days after Indian authorities dismantled barricades and parking poles on a road outside the Indian High Commission within a high-security diplomatic area near the foreign ministry, sources said on condition of anonymity. Pakistani officials proceeded with the demolition despite an official complaint from India, arguing that it was part of a road widening project.
On Wednesday, Indian authorities dismantled a shed-like structure and queue management barriers outside the Pakistan High Commission's main wall in Chanakyapuri, Shantinath area. They also took down certain traffic bollards and barricades adjoining the mission. At that time, Pakistani officials in both New Delhi and Islamabad had attempted to halt the demolition, asserting that no further steps would be taken in the Pakistani capital.
Visuals revealed debris, including bent metal frames, rails, aluminum sheets, and concrete fragments, strewn outside the visa section of the mission. This marked yet another instance of tit-for-tat actions between the two nations amid a complete standstill in bilateral relations. The relations between India and Pakistan have been at an all-time low since India revoked Jammu and Kashmir's unique status in 2019.
The ties worsened following the Pahalgam terror attack last year. Both sides have scaled back personnel at their respective missions, with India imposing various punitive diplomatic and economic actions, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and the closure of the primary land border crossing. India launched Operation Sindoor to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan, sparking a four-day conflict that concluded with a mutual understanding between senior military officials of the two countries.
India has maintained that bilateral ties cannot be normalized until Pakistan ceases supporting cross-border terrorism.
Written by urgent.news from Hindustan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
