In a significant development, the Government of India has ordered the closure of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari on the India-Pakistan border in Punjab, with immediate effect, following a terrorist attack on tourists at Pahalgam on April 22, 2025.
The decision was communicated via Instruction No. 06/2025-Customs, issued by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) under the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue). This move comes after the Ministry of Home Affairs (Foreigners Division) highlighted cross-border linkages in the recent attack.
As per the official instruction:
- All incoming and outgoing passenger movements through the Attari ICP are suspended.
- All goods movements through the Attari ICP are also halted until further notice.
The closure of this critical trade and travel route is expected to impact cross-border trade and passenger movement significantly. Authorities have been directed to take immediate necessary action to enforce the closure and ensure compliance at the ground level.
The CBIC emphasized that this action has been taken with the approval of the Competent Authority, underlining the seriousness with which the government is treating security threats linked to cross-border activities.
Official copy of the Instruction is as follows
Instruction No. 06/2025-Customs
F. No. 581/09/2023-LC
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs
International Customs Division
***
Room No. 227 A, North Block, New Delhi
Dated 26th April, 2025
To,
All Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners of Customs
All Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners of Customs (Prev.)
All Principal Chief Commissioners/ Chief Commissioners of CGST & Customs
All Principal Director Generals/Director Generals under CBIC
Sir/Madam,
Subject: Closing of the Integrated Check Post Attari for all types of incoming and outgoing passengers and movement of goods-Regarding.
Ministry of Home Affairs, Foreigners Division (Immigration Section) vide OM No. 25022/05/2025-Imm. dated 24.04.2025 (copy enclosed) issued direction which inter-alia states that subsequent to terrorist attack on tourists on 22 April 2025 at Pahalgam, the Government have taken a serious note of the cross-border linkages in this attack and have decided to close the Integrated Check Post Attari on India-Pakistan border at Punjab with immediate effect. All Types of incoming and outgoing passengers and movement of goods through the Integrated Check Post Attari shall be closed with immediate effect.
2. This is for information and suitable necessary action at your end.
3. This issues with the approval of the Competent Authority.
(Prabhjot Kaur)
OSD (Customs & EP)
Tel: 011-23095438
Email: uslc-cbec@gov.in
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