In a decisive diplomatic response to the brutal terror attack in Jammu & Kashmir’s Pahalgam, India on Wednesday summoned Pakistan’s top diplomat in New Delhi, Saad Ahmad Warraich, and formally declared all Pakistani military attachés posted in India Persona Non Grata, sources confirmed.
The move follows the killing of 26 civilians in an attack widely attributed to the Pakistan-based terror group, The Resistance Front—an incident Prime Minister Narendra Modi described as a “cowardly assault on innocent lives.”
High-level security meeting triggers strong measures
Following a two-hour meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Modi and attended by key ministers including Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, and S. Jaishankar, the government announced a series of sweeping retaliatory actions targeting Pakistan’s diplomatic, military, and economic ties with India.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that Pakistan’s Defence, Military, Naval, and Air advisors at its High Commission in Delhi must leave the country within a week. India will also withdraw its corresponding military attachés and supporting staff from Islamabad.
Suspension of Indus waters treaty, border closures
In a historic first, India has suspended the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, citing Pakistan’s failure to curb cross-border terrorism. The MEA said the suspension will remain until Islamabad takes “verifiable and irreversible steps” to end terror support.
Further tightening its stance, India has ordered the closure of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Attari, a crucial land link. Pakistani nationals currently in India with valid documents have until May 1 to exit the country. After that, all land travel between the two nations will be indefinitely suspended.
Visa scheme revoked, diplomatic staff cut
In another major move, India has withdrawn Pakistan’s access to the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). All existing SVES visas issued to Pakistani citizens stand cancelled, with a 48-hour deadline given to those currently in India to leave.
Additionally, both countries will reduce the strength of their High Commissions from 55 to 30 personnel by May 1, as part of a reciprocal drawdown in diplomatic engagement.
Heightened Security, Global Accountability Push
The CCS has instructed Indian armed forces and intelligence agencies to maintain maximum vigilance in the wake of continuing threats. A new National Investigation Agency (NIA) team has been deployed to Pahalgam as part of the intensified search for those responsible.
Reiterating its zero-tolerance policy on terrorism, India pledged to hold not only the perpetrators but also their backers accountable. Officials pointed to recent extradition efforts, including that of Tahawwur Rana, as examples of India’s determination to bring global terror operatives to justice.
(With IANS inputs)
