Pahalgam attack: A sleepy Andhra town is caught in the crossfire of India-Pakistan conflict  

Madanapalle is a quaint town in Andhra Pradesh which is nestled in the eastern ghats. It also acts as a gateway for the famous hill station, Horsley Hills and houses a learning centre of popular Indian philosopher, Jiddu Krishnamurthy, who was born here. 

Since the terror attack in Pahalgam in Kashmir, Madanapalle has earned a strange identity— of being home to five Pakistani nationals who belong to one family. Following the centre’s directive to ensure the departure of Pakistani citizens, the AP police encountered the unique case of a family who is a mix of Indian and Pakistani nationals. 

Gulab Jan, who is a native of Madanapalle had travelled to Kuwait a few decades back to work as a domestic help. There, she met Basheer Ahmad Bhat, a migrant worker from Pakistan. Both got married there and subsequently had five children. All five siblings received the status of Pakistani citizen. 

While they were still young, Gulab Jan decided to relocate to Madanapalle. Gulab Jan’s children grew up like any other Telugu Muslim family going to schools and mingling with the neighbours. Gulab’s husband arrived in Madanapalle two decades back and lived for a short while. The couple had a sixth child, a boy, who naturally became an Indian citizen. 

According to sources close to the family, Bhat had only visited his family twice and later settled down in Pakistan where he died two years back. Even the locals were unaware that some members of the family were legally Pakistanis. “They are like any of us. I really hope they are not sent back to Pakistan. They have never visited Pakistan and don’t have anyone there. They wouldn’t even know how to navigate from the Wagah border if left there,” said a local who knows the family. 

Gulab Jan has three daughters and three sons. Her elder daughter is married to a person from Kerala and is now settled in Bengaluru. Her second child, a son, is an employee in a catering company and lives in Madanapalle. The third child, a daughter, is married and stays with in-laws close to the town. The fourth and fifth children of Gulab are unmarried and in their 20s. 

The last child, who is an Indian citizen, is yet to complete his education. The family has been spending some anxious moments ever since news broke out about the centre’s decision to send back Pakistani nationals. The five children are on long-term Pakistan visas. The locals have come in support of the family and are ensuring that they are not ostracised and targeted. 

Police sources confirm that as of now the family has been given an exemption since they are on long-term visas and also considering their situation and they are only under basic surveillance. They have not been served any notices yet. For now, the family which is still reeling under the impact of gunshots fired in faraway Kashmir is hoping that their status quo continues.   

India