Key Points
- 26 civilians, mostly tourists, killed in Pahalgam’s deadliest terror attack in decades.
- India suspends the Indus Water Treaty and orders closure of Pakistan’s embassy in New Delhi.
- All Pakistani citizens in India given 48 hours to leave; visas revoked.
- Massive security crackdown in Jammu & Kashmir; over 1,500 detained for questioning.
- PM Modi chairs emergency Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting; military options reportedly under review.
- Home Minister Amit Shah visits attack site, meets victims’ families, pledges justice.
- Political leaders, including J&K CM Omar Abdullah, call for unity and support for affected families.
New Delhi: India has launched sweeping diplomatic and security offensive in response to the brutal terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu & Kashmir, which left 26 civilians dead and over a dozen injured. The attack, claimed by The Resistance Front a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy targeted tourists in the scenic Baisaran meadow, turning a popular holiday destination into a site of horror and national outrage.
Major Diplomatic Moves: Indus Water Treaty Suspended, Pakistan Embassy to Shut
In a rare and forceful move, the Indian government has announced the immediate suspension of the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan, a decades-old agreement governing the sharing of river waters. Simultaneously, India is shutting down Pakistan’s embassy in New Delhi and has ordered all Pakistani citizens and diplomats to leave the country within 48 hours. All Pakistani visas have been revoked, and the Attari border is being closed to further movement.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated, “The Indus Water Treaty will remain in abeyance until Pakistan stops cross-border terrorism.” High commission staff are being reduced, and no new visas will be issued.
Security Crackdown in Jammu & Kashmir
Security agencies have launched a massive crackdown in Jammu & Kashmir, detaining over 1,500 people for interrogation as they hunt for those responsible and their local collaborators. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has joined the probe, and sketches of three suspects have been released. The army has intensified operations along the India-Pakistan border, killing two terrorists in Uri during a separate encounter.
PM Modi Chairs Emergency CCS Meeting, Military Response on Table
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who cut short his Saudi Arabia visit, returned to Delhi and immediately chaired a marathon meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) at his residence. The meeting, attended by top ministers and security officials, is believed to have discussed a range of military and diplomatic options for India’s response. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized, “We will not stop at reaching just those who carried out this attack. We will also reach those who, hiding behind the scenes, conspired to carry out such acts on Indian soil”.
Leaders Visit Victims, Call for Unity
Home Minister Amit Shah visited the attack site in Pahalgam, met with survivors and grieving families, and laid wreaths on the coffins of the victims. Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah praised the bravery of local pony handler Syed Adil Hussain Shah, who died trying to protect tourists, and assured full government support for affected families. Political leaders across the spectrum have condemned the attack and called for national unity.
Controversy and Political Reactions
Congress leader Robert Vadra stirred controversy by linking the attack to communal tensions in India, urging the government to ensure security for all citizens and uphold secularism. Meanwhile, security has been tightened across several states, with special attention to border areas and sensitive sites.
International Condemnation and High Alert
World leaders have condemned the attack, and India has received messages of support from major global powers. The government has issued helpline numbers for those seeking information or assistance regarding the victims.
India stands united in grief and resolve, with the government pledging that those responsible for the Pahalgam massacre—and those supporting them will face the harshest consequences.
