Indus treaty suspended, Attari border shut, visas scrapped; Pakistani defence staff expelled, military advisors withdrawn; forces put on high alert
New Delhi, Apr 23: A day after terrorists killed 26 civilians, including one Nepali citizen, at Pahalgam in South Kashmir, the Government of India on Tuesday announced that “blood and water” cannot run together.
According to the details available with the news agency, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi met here this afternoon and announced a series of measures targeting Pakistan.
The decisions were taken at the CCS meeting following a detailed briefing on the Pahalgam terror attack and its cross-border linkages.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri while addressing a news conference soon after the CCS meeting in New Delhi said the government has decided to put the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 in abeyance with immediate effect. “The decision will remain in force until Pakistan credibly and irreversibly ends its support for cross-border terrorism,” he added.
“The integrated checkpost at Attari has been closed with immediate effect. Pakistani nationals who entered India through valid endorsements may return through that route before May 1, 2025,” he said.
Misri also said Pakistani nationals will no longer be allowed to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). All previously issued SVES visas are deemed cancelled. Pakistani nationals currently in India under SVES visas must leave the country within 48 hours.
He said the Defence, Military, Naval, and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared persona non grata and have one week to leave India. India will also withdraw its corresponding Defence, Navy, and Air Advisors from its High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in both High Commissions stand annulled.
Also, five support staff members associated with the service advisors will also be withdrawn from both missions. The total strength of the High Commissions will be reduced from 55 to 30 by May 1.
Misri said the decisions follow the attack in Pahalgam that left 26 dead and several others injured.
He said the CCS condemned the attack and expressed condolences to the victims’ families. He also noted that the attack occurred shortly after the successful conduct of elections in the Union Territory.
He said several governments around the world have extended support to India and condemned the attack. The CCS acknowledged these expressions of solidarity and said they reflected international opposition to terrorism.
The CCS also reviewed the security situation and directed the armed forces and agencies to maintain high vigil.
Misri said India will pursue those involved in the attack and their sponsors, and will bring them to justice.
He mentioned the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana as an example of India’s efforts in dealing with terrorism.(KNO)
