The X account of Government of Pakistan.

New Delhi: Following the horrifying Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir that killed 26 people on Wednesday, India has withheld access to the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Government of Pakistan. The move is part of a series of retaliatory measures by India, including the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and the expulsion of senior Pakistani diplomatic staff.

The message on the Pakistan government’s account reads, “Account Withheld, @GovtofPakistan has been withheld in IN in response to a legal demand.”

Also Read | What Is The Legality Of India’s Indus Waters Treaty Suspension?

This is not the first time that India has withheld the government of Pakistan’s account. Twitter has banned the account in India in July and October 2022 and more recently in March 2023.

After the Pahalgam terror attack, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced a series of measures, including suspending the Indus Water Treaty “with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irreversibly abjures its support for cross-border terrorism”.

The Indian government has also shut down the Attari land-transit post.

Foreign secretary Vikram Misri also said that Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC visa exemption scheme (SVES). Any Pakistani national currently in India under an SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India, he added.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday issued a stern warning to those behind the Pahalgam terror attack, stating that the country will ensure justice is delivered. “Terrorism will not go unpunished,” PM Modi said, addressing a gathering in Bihar’s Madhubani.

Also Read | Fact Check: Did Terrorists Target Intelligence Officials In The Pahalgam Attack?

Jammu and Kashmir Police has released wanted posters of the terrorists believed to be behind the terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. A reward of Rs 20 lakh has been announced for credible information leading to their elimination.

Congress will reportedly raise the issue of a security lapse in Jammu and Kashmir during the all-party meeting to be held today evening after the CWC meeting. The party believes that since Jammu and Kashmir is a Union Territory, the responsibility lies with the central government.