New Delhi: In a major escalation in hostilities between India and Pakistan after terrorists attacked a group of tourists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam, Islamabad on Thursday blocked its airspace for Indian airlines. Pakistan has also closed Wagah border crossing. The move came in response to India’s strong retaliatory measures after terrorists affiliated with Lashkar-e-Taiba opened fire on a group of tourists, killing 28 people.
Pakistan’s response came after India took tough measures against its neighbours. Among the several measures were the suspension of Indus Water Treaty 1960. Several rivers and tributaries, crucial to Pakistan’s agriculture and economy, depend on Indus waters. The Indian government also downgraded diplomatic ties with Pakistan, expelling its military attaches.
Pakistan convenes high-level meeting
Earlier in the day, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held a high-level meeting with key cabinet ministers and the chiefs of the three armed forces to chart out a response to India’s latest measures, including the treaty suspension and diplomatic downgrade.
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India suspends visa services for Pakistani nationals
A day after the Pahalgam attack, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, met in New Delhi to finalise India’s response. Among the decisions taken were the immediate closure of the Integrated Check Post at Attari and a ban on Pakistani nationals from travelling to India under the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES). All visas previously issued under the SVES were declared void.
Moreover, India on Thursday suspended all visa services for Pakistani nationals. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced that all existing Indian visas held by Pakistani citizens would be revoked effective April 27. Medical visas will remain valid only till April 29. Pakistani nationals currently in India have been asked to leave before their visas expire. The MEA has also advised Indian citizens to avoid travelling to Pakistan.
Owaisi receives all party meet invite
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, who had earlier criticised the Centre for excluding smaller parties from the all-party meeting on the attack, confirmed on Thursday that he had subsequently received an invitation. In a social media post, Owaisi had urged PM Modi to ensure that all political parties, regardless of their strength in Parliament, should be included in such discussions.
Attack masterminded by Pak; BJP exploiting tragedy: Congress
The Congress Working Committee (CWC), led by party president Mallikarjun Kharge, condemned the Pahalgam terror attack, calling it a “cowardly and calculated” act masterminded by Pakistan. “The deliberate targeting of Hindus was aimed at inciting communal unrest across the nation,” the CWC said in its resolution. “We appeal for calm and unity in the face of this grave provocation.”
However, the Congress also took aim at the BJP, accusing it of politicising the tragedy. “It is disturbing that the BJP is exploiting this horrific event through official and unofficial channels to sow discord and deepen societal divides, when what the country needs most is solidarity and resilience,” the resolution read.
