India's 'persona non grata' move against Pakistan diplomats after J&K attack

India's strong diplomatic retaliation following the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead, including 25 Indians and one Nepali national, has triggered a political and strategic crisis in Pakistan, exposing its deepening isolation on the global stage.

In Short

• Pakistani military diplomats declared persona non grata
• India expels Pakistani Defence, Naval, Air Advisors
• India downgrades diplomatic ties, closes border routes

India summoned Pakistan’s top diplomat, Saad Ahmad Warraich, in New Delhi late last night and a formal persona non grata note was handed over for all Pakistani military diplomats, sources confirmed. India’s strong diplomatic retaliation follows the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which left 26 people dead, including 25 Indians and one Nepali national.

The forced scaling down of Pakistan’s High Commission in New Delhi, including the expulsion of all Pakistani Defence, Naval, and Air Advisors, is seen as one of the most consequential measures taken by India following the Pahalgam attack. They have been given a week's time to exit.

Indian counterparts will also be withdrawn from Islamabad. This move, seen as a prelude to a possible complete shutdown of the High Commission, has already rattled Pakistan’s Foreign Office, as it has been completely cut off diplomatically by India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) on Wednesday, during which an unprecedented series of steps were taken in response to Pakistan’s cross-border terrorism. The meeting was attended by Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other highly-ranking officials.

In a strongly worded statement issued late Wednesday evening, India announced the effective downgrading of diplomatic relations with Pakistan, closure of key border routes, suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, and the expulsion of Pakistani military attaches from its High Commission in New Delhi.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed the news conference by promising that India would pursue those responsible for the attacks.

“CCS reviewed the overall security situation and directed all forces to maintain high vigilance. It is resolved that the perpetrators of this attack will be brought to justice and their sponsors held to account. India will be unrelenting in the pursuit of those who have committed acts of terror or conspired to make them possible,” he said.

PAHALGAM TERROR ATTACK

On Tuesday afternoon, five to six terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in the Baisaran meadow, which is around 5 kms from Pahalgam. The meadow - also known as 'mini Switzerland' - is accessible only by foot or by horseback. The Pahalgam carnage was one of the deadliest civilian attacks in the Kashmir Valley in recent years.

The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack.

Eyewitnesses said the terrorists emerged from the surrounding pine forests and fired at people picnicking, riding ponies, or eating at food stalls. Most of the victims were tourists, including two foreigners from the UAE and Nepal, and two locals.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called the attack "much larger than anything we've seen directed at civilians in recent years".