India Responds Strongly to Pahalgam Terror Attack: Indus Treaty Suspended, Diplomats Expelled
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
New Delhi/Pune, 23rd April 2025: In a decisive response to the deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, the Indian government has announced five significant measures targeting Pakistan, citing its continued support for cross-border terrorism. The decisions were taken during a high-level meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and attended by key officials including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, briefing the media after the two-and-a-half-hour-long meeting, outlined the actions taken by the CCS:
- Suspension of the Indus Water Treaty: The 1960 Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan has been suspended with immediate effect. Misri stated that the suspension will remain in force “until Pakistan demonstrably and irreversibly ends its support for terrorism emanating from its soil.”
- Closure of Attari Integrated Check Post: The border crossing at Attari has been shut down. Pakistani nationals who entered India legally through this point have been asked to return before May 1, 2025.
- Visa Restrictions on Pakistani Nationals: India has revoked all SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) benefits for Pakistani citizens. Existing SVES visas have been declared invalid, and individuals in India under this category have been directed to leave the country within 48 hours.
- Expulsion of Pakistani Military Advisors: Indian authorities have declared Pakistan’s defence, naval, and air advisors stationed at its High Commission in New Delhi as persona non grata. They have been given seven days to exit the country.
- Withdrawal of Indian Military Advisors from Islamabad: India is recalling its defence, naval, and air force attaches from its High Commission in Islamabad. These positions will now be considered abolished in the mission structure.
The Indian government has also called for an all-party meeting on Thursday to discuss national security concerns and further action in light of the attack.
Terror Attack in Pahalgam Leaves 26 Dead
The series of steps comes after a heinous terrorist attack in the Baisaran valley of Pahalgam on Tuesday, where 26 people, including two foreign nationals and tourists from multiple Indian states, lost their lives. More than 20 others were injured. Victims hailed from Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha, with one tourist each from Nepal and the UAE, and two local residents also among the dead.
The attack occurred at a time when the valley was teeming with tourists, raising serious questions about security in the region.
Terrorists Identified; LeT Deputy Chief Suspected Mastermind
Security and intelligence agencies have released sketches of three suspected attackers, identified as Asif Fauji, Suleman Shah, and Abu Talha. According to intelligence inputs, the operation is believed to have been masterminded by Saifullah Khalid, the deputy chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), who is currently in Pakistan.
Initial investigations reveal that five terrorists were involved in the attack—two locals and three Pakistani nationals—highlighting once again the deep-rooted nexus of local support and foreign-trained militants.
A string of emergency meetings and security briefings were held from Srinagar to Delhi throughout Wednesday, with national agencies coordinating a response and ramping up security in vulnerable areas.
