India Announces Tough Decisions Over Pakistan Relations After Pahalgam Attack
In a strong response to the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, India has announced a slew of measures against Pakistan, citing clear cross-border linkages to the assault. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, convened an emergency meeting and vowed to hold the perpetrators and their sponsors accountable.
On 22 April, around 2:50 PM, militants in military-style uniforms opened fire on tourists in Baisaran meadow, near Pahalgam. Twenty-five Indian citizens and one Nepali national were killed, with over 20 others injured, including an Indian Navy officer and an Intelligence Bureau official. Survivors recounted how the attackers, masquerading as policemen, asked for names before opening fire—targeting men while sparing most women. The Resistance Front, a proxy linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility.
Condemning the attack as one of the worst on civilians in Jammu and Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama bombing, the CCS declared that the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance until Pakistan demonstrates credible action against terrorism. The Integrated Check Post at Attari has been closed, and Pakistani nationals have been barred from entering India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme.
Further, Indian and Pakistani defence advisors stationed in each other’s capitals have been declared persona non grata and will be withdrawn. Both High Commissions will reduce staff strength from 55 to 30 by 1 May.
The CCS appreciated the global condemnation of the attack and stressed that the international support reflects a shared zero tolerance towards terrorism. Prime Minister Modi cut short his Saudi visit and Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Srinagar to monitor the situation.
Security forces remain on high alert, and a joint search operation involving the army and police is underway to track the attackers. Helicopters have been deployed, and a partial lockdown was enforced in Pahalgam following the attack.
The Indian government has affirmed that its pursuit of justice will be relentless. Referring to the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana, the CCS said India would continue to go after those who conspire to carry out such heinous acts.
As per a statement from the government, CCS decided upon the following measures:
(i) The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism.
(ii) The Integrated Check Post Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before 01 May 2025.
(iii) Pakistani nationals will not be permitted to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas. Any SVES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India.
(iv) The Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata. They have a week to leave India. India will be withdrawing its own Defence/Navy/Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions.
(v) The overall strength of the High Commissions will be brought down to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions, to be effected by 01 May 2025.
“The CCS reviewed the overall security situation and directed all forces to maintain high vigil. It resolved that the perpetrators of the attack will be brought to justice and their sponsors held to account. As with the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana, India will be unrelenting in the pursuit of those who have committed acts of terror, or conspired to make them possible,” the statement said.
