The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, held a detailed review on Wednesday of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian citizens and one Nepali national.
Addressing a special press conference, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that the CCS unequivocally condemned the attack and extended its deepest condolences to the families of the victims, while also wishing a speedy recovery to those injured.
“The CCS was briefed in detail on the terrorist attack that took place on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, in which 25 Indians and one Nepali citizen were killed. Several others sustained injuries,” Misri said.
He added that strong expressions of support and solidarity have been received from many governments across the world, all of which condemned the attack in the strongest terms. “The CCS acknowledged and appreciated these sentiments, which reflect the global resolve of zero tolerance for terrorism,” he said.
According to Misri, the CCS was also briefed on the cross-border linkages of the attack. It was noted that the incident came shortly after the peaceful conduct of elections in the Union Territory and amid its steady progress toward economic growth and development.
In response, the CCS decided on a series of retaliatory measures to send a firm message to Pakistan for its continued support of cross-border terrorism.
As part of these decisions, India will immediately suspend the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 until Pakistan “credibly and irrevocably abjures its support” for terrorism. Additionally, the integrated checkpost at Attari will be closed with immediate effect. Those who have entered India through Attari with valid endorsements may return through the same route by May 1, 2025.
The government has also announced that Pakistani nationals will no longer be allowed to travel to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme. Any Special Permission to Enter and Stay (SPES) visas previously issued to Pakistani nationals have been cancelled. Pakistani nationals currently in India under SPES visas have 48 hours to leave the country.
Further, the Defence, Military, Naval, and Air Advisors at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared persona non grata and must leave India within a week. The total strength of the Pakistani High Commission will be reduced from the current 55 to 30 personnel by May 1, 2025.
“These decisions underscore the seriousness with which the Government of India views this terror attack,” Misri said.
(ANI)
