Guwahati: In the wake of heightened security measures following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, the presence of a lone Pakistani national residing in Assam has come under the scanner. Rabia Ayush, who has been living in Tinsukia city since 2022, is now at the centre of attention as the Government of India has directed all Pakistani nationals to leave the country immediately.
Rabia, originally from Pakistan, has been residing on Rangaliya Road in Tinsukia with her family and runs a small shop in the area. She married a local man Md. Avesh of Assam in 2013 but has yet to acquire Indian citizenship, continuing her stay on the basis of a visa.
The matter gained prominence after the Union Home Ministry instructed all state governments to track and report the presence of Pakistani nationals within their jurisdictions. Reacting to the directive, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma confirmed that Rabia is the only Pakistani citizen currently living in the state.
Speaking to the media, Sarma said, “We have only one Pakistani citizen residing in Assam, located in Tinsukia district. She is married to a local resident but originally hails from Pakistan. She has applied for a long-term visa. We have informed the Government of India and requested verification to decide whether she should be allowed to stay or sent back.”
He further clarified that apart from this isolated case, no other Pakistani nationals have been reported living in Assam.
State authorities are actively coordinating with the central government to review Rabia’s visa status and residency eligibility. Officials have begun a thorough investigation into her documentation and stay conditions to ensure compliance with national security protocols.
The focus on Pakistani nationals follows the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, J&K, which claimed the lives of at least 26 civilians. Intelligence agencies have attributed the attack to Pakistan-backed radical groups, prompting a nationwide crackdown on individuals with links to Pakistan. Assam’s swift response reflects its broader commitment to national security amid rising concerns about cross-border terrorism and internal threats.
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