Pahalgam Terror Attack: Visa Ban, Attari Border Closure, Indus Treaty Suspension, Top 5 Decisions by India

Pahalgam Terror Attack: A day after the ghastly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, the Indian government on Wednesday announced strict measures against Pakistan including the cancellation of Pakistani nationals' visas, suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari Border, and the declaration of Pakistani military advisors Persona Non Grata.

The Ministry of External Affairs briefed media persons on Wednesday about the slew of measures announced in the wake of the dastardly terrorist attack that took place in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam.

The Cabinet Committee of Security (CCS) meeting, held today, lasted over two hours under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The committee was briefed in detail on the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir. Twenty-five Indians and one Nepali citizen were dead, and several others were injured due to the terror attack. Here are the top five announcements after the CCS meeting.

Pakistan High Commission Advisors To Leave in A Week

All the advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi were declared Persona Non Grata and have to leave India in a week, said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during the Ministry of External Affairs briefing held on Wednesday night.

"The Defence/Military, Naval and Air Advisors in the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi are declared Persona Non Grata. They have a week to leave India. India will be withdrawing its own Defence/Navy/Air Advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. These posts in the respective High Commissions are deemed annulled. Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions," Misri said.

Attari Border Closed

The Integrated Check Post at Attari border will be closed with immediate effect. "Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before May 1, 2025," Misri added.

The Attari border is located around 28 kilometers from Amritsar and serves as the only permitted land route for trade with Pakistan. It spreads across 120 acres and serves as a key route of cross-border trade with Pakistan and even Afghanistan.

Pakistani Nationals To Leave India in Next 48 Hours

The Indian government has also ordered to cancellation of the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas issued to Pakistani nationals. Those nationals who are in India under these visas have to leave the country within 48 hours.

"Any SVES visas issued in the past to Pakistani nationals are deemed cancelled. Any Pakistani national currently in India under SVES visa has 48 hours to leave India," Misri said.

Indus Waters Treaty Suspended

India has temporarily suspended the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan and warned that it will not be brought back unless Pakistan ceases its support for cross-border terrorism. The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 granted Pakistan exclusive control over the eastern rivers, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.

Most of these rivers originated in Indian territory in Jammu Kashmir. India had exclusive control over the eastern rivers, ie Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej.

"The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be held in abeyance with immediate effect, until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism," said Vikram Misry. A large chunk of the Indus River network, accessed by Pakistan because of the treaty was used for agricultural purpose like farming and for consumption by the rural inhabitants.

Reduction in High Commissions Strength

The overall strength of the High Commissions will be reduced to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions. These reductions will come into effect from May 1. During the press briefing,Misri told mediapersons that the "CCS reviewed the overall security situation and directed all forces to maintain high vigil. It resolved that the perpetrators of the attack will be brought to justice and their sponsors held to account."

Pahalgam Terror Attack

Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir is one of the biggest terror attacks after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. The search operation is underway in Jammu and Kashmir to track the terrorists responsible for the attack.