Abdul Basit cancels trip to Indian city following attack

E-Paper | March 07, 2026

NEW DELHI: Pakistan's High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit has cancelled his official two-day visit to the Indian city of Chandigarh due to security reasons.

The two day official trip was to commence on July 29.

“Chief ministers of Punjab and Haryana have refused to host the Pakistani high commissioner after yesterday’s incident in Gurdaspur,” said a source at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi.

Read: Gun battle at Indian Punjab police station ends, ten killed

“My visit to Chandigarh has been cancelled as the Indian Ministry of External Affairs did not allow two of my colleagues to travel with me,” said Abdul Basit.

The Pakistani envoy was scheduled to deliver a lecture at the University of Punjab in Chandigarh and speak at a think tank, both events have now been cancelled as well.

The development comes after a militant attack on an Indian police station in the state of Punjab which killed 10 people yesterday.

India and Pakistan have seen a sudden rise in tensions due recent bouts of cross-border firing and an infiltration attempt by what Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) claimed was an Indian spy drone early this month.

Both nations had witnessed a recent thaw in their relations following the meeting at Ufa between the prime ministers of Pakistan and Indian last month.

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Ahmed

Jul 28, 2015 05:45pm

Yet another unfortunate gesture by Indians.

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blue saffron

Jul 28, 2015 05:47pm

Yes safety is important , Abdul should stay put and should not venture outside .

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blue saffron

Jul 28, 2015 05:51pm

The Pakistani envoy was scheduled to deliver a lecture at the University of Punjab in Chandigarh and speak at a think tank, both events have now been cancelled as well. Both would have benefited vastly , it is India's loss.

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Changez_Khan

Jul 28, 2015 05:57pm

Good move, never trust violent Shiv Sena.

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Ashfaq11

Jul 28, 2015 05:58pm

Is it just me or there is a rift between nawaz sharif and COAS since UFA meeting. Before that they were both meeting each other every week. I think Nawaz Sharif is trying to wrangle Foreign policy out of GHQ but he hasn't succeeded yet. Good luck!

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Jul 28, 2015 06:34pm

@blue saffron Oh so much of wisdom that it needs to be shared....

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Sonny Afridi

Jul 28, 2015 06:43pm

Who cares? It's the loss for those students who will miss his speech. By the way I support Khalistan.

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Realist

Jul 28, 2015 07:03pm

@blue saffron Abdul Basiths views would hardly benefit India and also please understand that the state government of Punjab and Harayana has cancelled the meeting not the other way round.

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Blue Saffron

Jul 28, 2015 07:03pm

For the safety of all Pakistani diplomats and their families please call them back from India. It has become a very violent country.

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realist

Jul 28, 2015 07:06pm

The public opinion in India has turned against Pakistan after Gurdaspur terror attack. In changed context, his visit to Chandigarh would not have served its intended purpose.

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Blue Saffron

Jul 28, 2015 07:12pm

It is very painful to see India slide into this terror mode. I hope it can fight these wars on at least five (5) fronts. Namely Khalistan in Punjab, Nagaland in Northeast, Kashmir in Northwest, Tamil Land in South and Bihari/Bengali movement in East. Goa is next.

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Blue Saffron

Jul 28, 2015 07:42pm

I am very comforted to see Mr. Basit engaging in educational activities in India and his quest for peace. So Mahamta Gandhi like approach that I am sure hindus appreciate.

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Shahryar Shirazi

Jul 28, 2015 07:45pm

Id like to get a logical view of my Indian friends on a couple of things. How can the Indian govt. justify the accusations that the terrorists were from Pakistan even way way before the siege ended ? Furthermore, all day today, on Indian media there was a 3-4 sec CCTV footage which run around the clock and shown as proof that the attackers were from Pakistan.

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Ramesh Sharma

Jul 28, 2015 08:05pm

@Blue Saffron You are right. They are not doing anything meaningful except enjoying dinners with Huryiyat Conference. Calling them back to peaceful and nonviolent Pakistan is the best idea.

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joe

Jul 28, 2015 08:12pm

@Shahryar Shirazi Just the same way as you believe in DRONE..

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Shah, Canada

Jul 28, 2015 08:16pm

Long live Khalistan...

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SAFFRON

Jul 28, 2015 08:19pm

@Sonny Afridi who cares if you support Khalistan or Not?

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Blue Saffron

Jul 28, 2015 08:20pm

India has become a very hostile environment and not conducive for diplomacy nor any investments. My recommendation to both is to pullout or cancel your travel/investment plans.

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Realist

Jul 28, 2015 08:44pm

@Blue Saffron Any comment without basic facts and figures is just a theory. For starters India has maintained democratic government for 68 years and is a home to various relogious faiths most of whom are living happily in India this diversity amd tolerance is not present in even the developed nations like US and India is the only example of united humanity.

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Realist

Jul 28, 2015 08:54pm

so you will rather believe a bbc report about indian involvement in Pakistan? This lack of trust will not help anyone.

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Indian Guy

Jul 28, 2015 08:54pm

@Blue Saffron Like as if Pakistanis have been investing billions of dollars in India lately :) . In fact I think Pakistanis are not allowed to invest in India and vice versa.

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Madan

Jul 28, 2015 08:56pm

The cancellation of the address to the university in Chandigarh is in order due to the terrorist attack in Gurdaspur ,Punjab where 10 innocent people have died and extensive damage to the public property has occurred.Besides,Mr. Basit has already stirred controversy with his meetings with the pro-Pakistani group in the Indian Kashmir.The day of his lecture/address is,perhaps, not appropriate.

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M.Saeed

Jul 28, 2015 08:58pm

The Provincial Government of Indian Punjab is in hot waters after the Gurdaspur attack. It shows some reality behind. Recently, there were news of the revival of Khalistan move in India. The terror attack in Gurdaspur can arguably be connected with that revival of covert but solid uprising in Punjab. The CM of Indian Punjab has also shown his reservations about the sudden accusations against Pakistan without proof.

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kkk

Jul 28, 2015 09:01pm

May be he want to pay homage to ex president of India apj kalam. so that why he cancelled the trip

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M.Saeed

Jul 28, 2015 09:01pm

@Realist : Under orders of the Federal Government and in the best interests of the safety of his guests.

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Blue Saffron

Jul 28, 2015 09:05pm

Indians, let me tell ya something. We do not tolerate insults to our diplomats in any country. We are not like India. Do not mess with Mr. Basit. Understood? Good. Now if you dont like Pakistan then shut your embassy and call your diplomats back. Thank you.

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U.Kumar

Jul 28, 2015 09:14pm

@Sonny Afridi good for you. I do not.

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Sandip

Jul 28, 2015 09:22pm

Sources in intelligence agencies and Punjab Police said here on Tuesday that the track of the GPS sets revealed that the terrorists had moved from Shakargarh area in Pakistan along the India-Pakistan border on Sunday and entered India.

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Harmony-1

Jul 28, 2015 09:36pm

Accusations were flying in earnest just when the bullets were. Must be a world record as the speediest ever investigation solved! It's really sad they are plying with public sentiment like this.

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Ashoka

Jul 28, 2015 09:38pm

Every time when dialogue is initiated between the two countries, it ends in Gurdaspur like attacks. It is time to accept that this relation is not going to work and need to move ahead with other countries in the world. India have limited energy and resources and should not be spent in unproductive activity.

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Syed Hussain Akbari

Jul 28, 2015 09:47pm

The same old Drama by India when they feel weak and are guilty conscious.

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Blue Saffron

Jul 28, 2015 09:57pm

Sources in BBC say these were homegrown folks from Tamil Nadu.

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Blue Saffron

Jul 28, 2015 10:22pm

So sad to see India slide into this violence mode. I personally think it is realted to Khalistan movement. The sikhs in US are very well capitalized and active politically.

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Ali

Jul 28, 2015 10:27pm

I feel sorry for muslims who have to live in such a hostile and violent society.

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Gurpreet Singh Sabharwal (USA)

Jul 28, 2015 11:25pm

@Blue Saffron : I'm a Sikh in the US & I can tell you that its a small, ignorant & mostly illiterate minority within our community here (max 5%) which is pro-khalistan. The majority of us are against them & have learned to ignore them over the years. Although, I'm very curious as to where do these pro-khalistan groups here get their funding from. Any ideas?

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KadvaSach

Jul 28, 2015 11:29pm

Good!

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Gurdeep Singh Brara

Jul 28, 2015 11:32pm

Excuse me but I am a Sikh settled in USA also. Most of us are very active in funding, lobbying, supporting and pursuing a Khalistan state in India. Jai Khalistan. Khalistan jindabad.

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sana

Jul 28, 2015 11:35pm

Their government is again fooling them to combat inner insurgencies like khalistan.... But this time sikhs will tolerate a grand massacre like in 1984 and that is the reason the hindu extremist party is blaming this on pakistan.... just wait for a few more days until you cannot control this.....i also support khalistan, at least we can have better neighbors...

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Kuldip Singh (USA)

Jul 28, 2015 11:37pm

I live in USA and am a Sikh. I and 98% of other Sikhs living in USA support Khalistan. We have also filed many lawsuits against Indian politicians in US. In fact there are arrest warrants outstanding against Modi, Manmohan Singh and Gandhi.

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Gurpreet Singh Sabharwal (USA)

Jul 28, 2015 11:41pm

@Gurdeep Singh Brara : you said you are "funding, lobbying, supporting and pursuing a Khalistan state in India". But we already have such a state in India, it is called Punjab :)

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Jul 28, 2015 11:41pm

@Gurpreet Singh Sabharwal (USA) Sikhs have made a massive contribution to all walks of life in India, esp the armed forces and agriculture. In spite of being 2 pc of our populace, Punjab and Sikhs continue to feed the entire nation. I love the large hearted ways of my Sikh friends.

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sana

Jul 28, 2015 11:42pm

@sana i mean will not tolerate a grand massacre....

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Gurpreet Singh Sabharwal (USA)

Jul 28, 2015 11:46pm

@Kuldip Singh (USA) : You say that 98% of sikhs in US support Khalistan. This is utter nonsense because I'm personally involved with the boards of about 8 Sikh organizations in the north eastern states of US & none of them support Khalistan. Yes, we do seek justice of the victims of 1984 riots but that does not mean we support Khalistan. May be you are confused between the two.

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Kuldip Singh (USA)

Jul 28, 2015 11:52pm

@Gurpreet Singh Sabharwal (USA) : You are a fake because as a Sikh you dont know the difference between Punjab and Khalistan. Go away.

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blogger

Jul 29, 2015 12:13am

Sikhs have already made Punjab 'Khali'stan at the rate at which Sikhs are quitting Punjab for Canada etc there won't be many left there, the workers coming from other states will get voting rights and elect their leaders. Punjab has been let down by the Sikhs abroad mostly in N.America doing nothing for the youth of Punjab by investing money there When will the Sikhs wake up!

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Nikhil

Jul 29, 2015 01:26am

@blue saffron It was a gesture that India was providing. This is wprld known fact that India is a hub for Doctors, Engineers, Scientist and other respectful profession so i think it would have been a greater opportunity for Abdul Basit to address an intellect audience and answer their questions. As far as Indian perspective is concerned, no one would have cared too much inside university because these are gestures to improve relations. These will hit Pakistan in long run as I have always believed that Pakistan can share the load of IT on India by companies like Infy,TCs and Wipro further outsourcing to them for their benefits.

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Nikhil

Jul 29, 2015 01:31am

@Blue Saffron I dont think these are issues in india specifically Khalistan was over in 80's and by now it is a well known fact. Nagaland is a different story and we have marched inside Burma to counter them. Kashmir is a common issue between Pak and India. Now Tamil Nadu, Bihar are no issues. So whatever you are talking makes no sense, buddy

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Jul 29, 2015 01:32am

@Gurdeep Singh Brara Seems you are a fake. It's zindabad not jindabad. And not it was not an typo mistake from you. You didn't know how the same is spelled and pronounced in India. A guy with an fake identity cannot be a Sikh, who are warriors but large hearted too.

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Waheednoor

Jul 29, 2015 02:43am

@Kuldip Singh (USA) As far as I know there are not warrants against anyone named by you. You are just blowing hot air.

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facts

Jul 29, 2015 02:48am

@blue saffron benefitted vastly? little bit exaggerated, methinks!

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facts

Jul 29, 2015 02:48am

@sk: second your opinion ;)

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facts

Jul 29, 2015 02:52am

@Blue Saffron yes please, do so! sooner the better!!

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facts

Jul 29, 2015 02:56am

@Blue Saffron really? but we get exactly the opposite impression ;)

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Himi

Jul 29, 2015 03:33am

@Gurdeep Singh Bara good....you took responsibility. Now the organisation I work with- Sikhs for Justice do know who are supporting those extremist. @Kuldeep Singh ohh yeah he is fake . Stop doing this fake thing no real sikh or any believer in khalsa would ever support extremist. We seek justice for 1984 massacre but never supported Khalistan and never will. The attack in gurdaspur was a terror attack and moreover from what I have seen in media....they were not sikhs either

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Ramesh Sharma

Jul 29, 2015 06:25am

@Blue Saffron I agree we should start to think that we don't exist as neighbors, erect an impregnable wall and live our own ways. We have not been and will never be able to live as peaceful neighbors.

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Ramesh Sharma

Jul 29, 2015 06:27am

@sana Wonderful Sana yo have lots of inside information.

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Raghu

Jul 29, 2015 06:29am

@Shahryar Shirazi They identified the bodies to be muslims based on the cicumcision im guessing. and then they found GPS devices which have pre programmed route from a border location to the railway tracks and the attack site the route taken by terrorists. Still the investigative agencies havent concluded anything. even the modus operandi is similar to LET attacks in J&K. Hijack a car and move towards a target.

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Ramesh Sharma

Jul 29, 2015 06:35am

@Kuldip Singh (USA) Which Punjab you are talking about? The Punjab from the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh or the one after 1947 that has close to half of Hindus who share ancestors and traditions from birth to death I am a Hindu and half of my family wear turban and recite Garanth Sahib. The day you will understand the kinship it is only then you will find the difference between a Punjabi Hindu or Sikh.

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Indian wondering

Jul 29, 2015 07:05am

@blue saffron In what way?

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Indian wondering

Jul 29, 2015 07:16am

@Blue Saffron Very constructive and peaceful comment.

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kkk

Jul 29, 2015 07:20am

@Kuldip Singh (USA) 98% Sikh are patriot to India serve this country in the all field including our ex prime minister Manmohan . remaining 2% found in all society of the world . they have no creative thing or serving mankind left on them . people like you only involve in destructive things or supporting them. I know khalistan movement very well . during those black days in Punjab thousand of innocent murdered by so called these terrorist(khalistani) .

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Indian wondering

Jul 29, 2015 07:20am

@Blue Saffron OK Mr Intelligent.

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