BLOOD AND WATER CAN’T RUN TOGETHER:After Pahalgam massacre, India pulls plug on Pakistan

Indus treaty suspended, Attari border shut, visas scrapped; Pakistani defence staff expelled, military advisors withdrawn; forces put on high alert  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 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 check-post 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Also, five support staff members associated with the service advisors will also be withdrawn from both missions.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.

Home Minister winds up Kashmir visit, says Pahalgam terror attack perpetrators won’t be spared

Pays tributes to victims at PCR Srinagar, reaches terror attack site, Baisaran; Meets injured at Anantnag Hospital

Srinagar, Apr 23: A day after terrorists shot dead 26 civilians, mostly tourists, at Pahalgam, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that perpetrators won’t be spared.

Shah, who arrived in Srinagar on Tuesday evening, chaired a crucial security review meeting last night and before winding up his Kashmir visit, paid tributes to victims at the Police Control Room Srinagar, visited the terror attack site at Baisaran and met the injured at Anantnag hospital.

PERPETRATORS WON’T BE SPARED

The Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid his tribute to the victims of the attack by laying a wreath at the bodies of the victims at the Police Control Room in Srinagar.

Shah also met with the families of the victim members. After paying last respects to the terror attack victims    the Union Home Minister asserted that the country will not bend to terror and perpetrators responsible for the carnage at Pahalgam will not be spared.

“With a heavy heart, paid last respects to the deceased of the Pahalgam terror attack. Bharat will not bend to terror. The culprits of this dastardly terror attack will not be spared,” Shah, wrote on X.

VISITS TERROR ATTACK SITE 

Shah also visited the Baisaran meadow, the site of the terror attack this morning.

He arrived at the terror site by helicopter, descending onto the meadow now bearing the scars of violence.

The Home Minister was accompanied by the top security officials.

The attack, which unfolded on Tuesday at Baisaran area turned a place once known for its tranquillity into a site of mourning. The attack was one of the biggest terror attacks in the region after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019.

VISITS INJURED AT ANANTNAG HOSPITAL

Shah also visited a hospital in Anantnag to enquire about the condition of the persons injured in the terror attack.

He arrived at the Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital in the afternoon.

The Home Minister was accompanied by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

“HM Amit Shah and CM Omar Abdullah visited the Associated Hospital of GMC Anantnag to inquire about the condition of the injured tourists following the Pahalgam terror attack,” ruling National Conference posted on its X handle.

The Union Home Minister left for New Delhi in the afternoon.