The Foreign Office also advises against all non-essential travel to the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, including its capital, Imphal.
🇬🇧 LONDON — UK Issues Urgent Travel Advisory Amid Rising India-Pakistan Tensions
Border Alert: Stay Away from Conflict Zone
The UK government has issued a stark warning to its citizens, urging them not to travel within 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) of the volatile India-Pakistan border, as tensions escalate between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The advisory follows the closure of the Wagah-Attari border, a symbolic crossing between the two countries.
Danger Zones Identified: Jammu & Kashmir Under Threat
In a serious update, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) strongly advised against all travel to the region of Jammu and Kashmir, including popular tourist spots like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Srinagar, as well as the Jammu-Srinagar highway.
Exceptions are limited to air travel to and from Jammu, movement within Jammu city, and travel within the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Manipur on the Edge: Essential Travel Only
Adding to the concern, the FCDO also advised against all but essential travel to the northeastern Indian state of Manipur, including its troubled capital, Imphal, which has seen recent instability.
Deadly Attack Sparks Diplomatic Fallout
This urgent advisory comes just two days after a horrific attack in Pahalgam, where unidentified gunmen killed 26 people—including 25 Indian tourists and one local resident. The shocking violence has sent ripples of fear through the region and prompted swift diplomatic reactions.
India Closes the Gates: Border and Treaty Suspended
In response, India has suspended the historic Indus Water Treaty and closed its border crossing with Pakistan. The Indian government also expelled Islamabad’s military, naval, and air advisors, labeling them persona non grata and giving them one week to leave the country.
War of Words: Pakistan Warns of “Act of War”
Pakistan has condemned India’s actions as “reckless”, warning that any move to block or divert water under the treaty would be seen as an act of war.
India Urges Its Citizens in Pakistan: Come Home Now
In a chilling sign of deteriorating ties, India has called on its citizens in Pakistan to return immediately, urging them to leave “at the earliest” for their own safety.