Hero’s Mother Among 60 Pakistanis Deported From J&K

In a sweeping post-terror crackdown, India deports 60 Pakistanis from Jammu and Kashmir—including the mother of a fallen Shaurya Chakra awardee.

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India Deports 60 Pakistanis From Kashmir, Sparking Emotion and Controversy

In the tense aftermath of a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Indian authorities have begun deporting 60 Pakistani nationals from Jammu and Kashmir—a move that includes the mother of a fallen Indian police hero. The sweeping action marks a sharp turn in India’s posture towards Pakistani citizens residing in the region, even as some among them have lived on Indian soil for decades.

Fallout From Terror: Deportations Begin

On Tuesday, security personnel escorted 60 individuals—mostly women and children—to Punjab by bus, where they are now being prepared for transfer to Pakistan via the Wagah border. According to officials, many of the deportees were family members of former militants who had returned under India’s 2010 rehabilitation policy. The list spans multiple districts: 36 from Srinagar, nine each from Baramulla and Kupwara, four from Budgam, and two from Shopian.

This action follows the Centre’s firm response to the recent Pahalgam attack. In addition to suspending the decades-old Indus Waters Treaty and downgrading diplomatic relations with Islamabad, the government gave an April 27 deadline to all Pakistanis on temporary visas to leave the country—or face legal action.

A Shaurya Chakra Family Caught in the Storm

Among those being deported is Shameema Akhtar—the mother of Constable Mudasir Ahmad Shaikh, who was killed while fighting terrorists in 2022. Mudasir, who served in the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s undercover anti-terror unit, was posthumously awarded the Shaurya Chakra, one of India’s highest peacetime gallantry awards. In May 2023, Shameema and her husband accepted the award in Delhi from President Droupadi Murmu.

Now, just a year later, the same family finds itself at the center of a political storm. Shameema, originally from Pakistan, had married Mohammad Maqsood, a retired Indian police officer, well before militancy erupted in Kashmir in the early 1990s. Her relatives, now pleading for clemency, say her decades-long life in India and the sacrifice of her son should not be forgotten.

A Family’s Appeal: “What Was Her Crime?”

“This isn’t justice,” said Mohammad Younus, Mudasir’s uncle. Speaking to reporters, Younus highlighted that Shameema has lived in India for over 45 years and questioned why she should be treated as a foreign national now. “My sister-in-law is from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which is part of our territory. Only Pakistanis should be deported—not people from our own land,” he said.

He also reminded the media that after Mudasir’s death, top officials, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, had visited the grieving family and honored their son’s heroism. “What message does this deportation send to the families of our martyrs?” he asked.

National Security vs Human Ties

The broader debate now rests on the balance between national security and humanitarian considerations. While government officials defend the deportation orders as a necessary security precaution following the rise in cross-border terrorism, critics argue that a blanket policy fails to consider nuanced, long-standing personal ties.

Experts say that while the 2010 rehabilitation policy was aimed at reintegrating former militants and their families, the lack of permanent citizenship or clear legal status has left many in limbo. “This was a ticking time bomb. These families were never fully assimilated, leaving them vulnerable to policy shifts during diplomatic or security crises,” said Ajai Sahni, a counterterrorism analyst based in New Delhi.

A Town Remembers, But What About the Nation?

Back in Baramulla, the town square has been renamed Shaheed Mudasir Chowk in memory of the brave constable who laid down his life fighting terrorism. Yet, for his mother, that honor may now come with exile. The stark contradiction between recognition and rejection lies at the heart of the emotional responses pouring in from across the region.

In a video that has since gone viral, Shameema can be seen breaking down, saying, “Meri kya galti thi?”—what was my fault? Her voice echoes a growing sentiment among those who fear that collective punishment may erode trust in government policies meant to promote peace and reconciliation.

Conclusion: Between Patriotism and Policy, People Pay the Price

The deportation of 60 Pakistanis from Jammu and Kashmir, including the mother of a national hero, casts a harsh light on the collateral damage of high-stakes diplomacy. While national security is paramount, the human cost of such policies can fracture the very fabric they aim to protect. As India navigates the delicate terrain of internal security and international diplomacy, its actions must also account for stories like Shameema’s—where sacrifice, not suspicion, defines allegiance.

Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available information and verified news sources. It reflects ongoing developments at the time of writing and does not intend to take a political stance or influence public opinion.