Pulwama Attack: Pakistanis in Bikaner Asked to Leave Within 48 Hours

The Bikaner district collector issued an order on Monday for Pakistani citizens to withdraw within 48 hours, citing a law and order situation following the Pulwama terrorist attack, PTI reported. Bikaner is a district in Rajasthan that borders Pakistan.

District collector Kumar Pal Gautam issued prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and asked hotels, lodgings and hospitals not to allow Pakistanis to stay on their property. The order also prohibits the use of Pakistani SIM cards in the district. The order is effective for two months.

The order ordered the Bikaner businessmen not to maintain commercial relations with Pakistani citizens and not to employ them, The Times of India reported. The order does not apply to Pakistani citizens who have registered with the foreign registration official.

In a false call from Pakistan, the order said that Indian citizens should not exchange sensitive or Army information through any means of telecommunications. Any person who violates the order will be registered under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.

The ties between India and Pakistan have deteriorated after the February 14 attack. The extremist group Jaish-e-Mohammad took responsibility for the suicide attack.