In the wake of the deadly terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asked all chief ministers across India to locate and deport any Pakistani nationals currently residing in their states. The Home Ministry’s directive follows what has been described as the deadliest attack on Indian soil since the Pulwama bombing in 2019.

According to sources, Shah personally reached out to state heads to ensure urgent action, as tensions continue to escalate between India and Pakistan over the latest incident.

India cancels all Pakistan visas, suspends Indus Waters Treaty

On Wednesday, India revoked all visas granted to Pakistani citizens, announcing that the cancellation will come into effect from April 27. Medical visa holders have been granted a brief extension of 48 hours. This decision is one of five strong diplomatic measures taken by the Indian government in response to the Pahalgam assault.

In another significant move, India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a longstanding agreement governing water sharing of the Indus River and its tributaries. The action marks a sharp downturn in bilateral relations.

India has accused Pakistan of direct involvement in the Pahalgam attack and has presented evidence to senior diplomats from major global powers including the US, UK, France, Germany, Russia, Italy, and China. The information was shared by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri during a high-level diplomatic briefing.

Pakistan retaliates with its own measures

Reacting sharply, Pakistan declared India’s suspension of the IWT an “act of war” and countered by suspending the Simla Agreement. Additionally, Islamabad has shut down its airspace for flights owned or operated by Indian airlines.

The Pahalgam attack: A brutal act of terror

The assault in Baisaran Valley on Tuesday afternoon left 26 people dead, including civilians and tourists. Among the deceased was a newlywed Navy officer on holiday. Visuals circulating on social media showed terrorists targeting only male victims, while one of them mocked a woman survivor, telling her to “go tell Modi”.

The attackers, reportedly five in number and armed with automatic weapons, are believed to be part of an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Intelligence sources suggest they were possibly directed by Lashkar chief Hafeez Saeed and his deputy Saifullah, both of whom are believed to be operating from Pakistan.

Political reactions and internal concerns

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking in Bihar, addressed the global community in English, stating firmly that India would “identify and punish every terrorist and those behind them”. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reinforced this message, declaring that not just the attackers, but their handlers and conspirators would also be held accountable.

An all-party meeting was held on Thursday where opposition leaders questioned the absence of adequate security at the attack site. Government officials explained that the Baisaran area is only fortified ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra in June, when the route is formally opened.

Three days after the horrific terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baisaran meadow near Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, arrived in Srinagar on Friday, April 25, to extend support and assess the situation.

Rahul Gandhi met Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at his Srinagar residence to discuss the aftermath of the tragedy. He also visited an Army hospital in the city, where he met an injured survivor and interacted with the families of the victims.

Speaking to the media, Gandhi described the attack as a “terrible tragedy” aimed at sowing division in society.

“I came here to understand the ground reality and offer help. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have unitedly condemned this heinous act and stand with the nation. My heart goes out to those who lost loved ones. The entire country is standing together,” he said.

Gandhi emphasized that the united Opposition has condemned the attack and pledged full support for any measures the government deems necessary. “The terrorists’ intent was to fracture our society, but we must stand united to defeat their agenda. It’s disheartening to see some people targeting Kashmiris elsewhere in the country. We must come together to fight this despicable act and eradicate terrorism,” he urged.

Accompanied by Congress MP K.C. Venugopal, MLAs Ghulam Ahmad Mir and Tariq Hameed Karra, and Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Syed Naseer Hussain, Gandhi also met Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Raj Bhavan.

The Office of the LG posted on X, stating, “Discussed various aspects of the heinous Pahalgam terror attack with Rahul Gandhi and Congress leaders.” Gandhi assured both the Chief Minister and the LG of his party’s unwavering support in addressing the crisis.

Meanwhile, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi arrived in Udhampur to review the security situation at the Northern Command headquarters. He was briefed on the situation along the Line of Control in the Poonch-Rajouri sectors and areas south of the Pir Panjal ranges, as security forces remain on high alert following the attack.

Rahul Gandhi’s visit underscores a call for unity and resilience, urging the nation to stand firm against attempts to disrupt harmony in the wake of the Pahalgam tragedy.

Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif sparked controversy by alleging that India “staged” the recent Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives, while admitting that Pakistan has supported terrorist groups for decades at the behest of the US, Britain, and other Western nations.

In an interview with a British news channel, Asif warned that India’s response to the attack could precipitate an “all-out war” between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, urging the international community to be alarmed by the prospect of such a conflict.

Asif claimed that Pakistan’s military is “fully prepared” to counter any Indian aggression, promising a “measured response” to any provocation. “If India launches an all-out attack, it will lead to an all-out war with catastrophic consequences,” he said, emphasizing the dangers of a clash between two nuclear powers.

While expressing hope for a diplomatic resolution, he accused India of orchestrating the Pahalgam attack to create a regional crisis.

“Delhi’s reaction was predictable. We believe this was staged to stir trouble, especially for Pakistan,” he stated, without providing evidence. When pressed to clarify, Asif doubled down, asserting, “Absolutely, India creates such situations,” though he added that Pakistan’s government has unequivocally condemned terrorism in all forms.

Addressing Pakistan’s history of supporting terrorism, Asif made a startling admission: “For three decades, we did the dirty work for the United States, Britain, and the West. That was a grave mistake. If we hadn’t joined the wars against the Soviet Union and post-9/11, Pakistan’s record would have been spotless.”

He acknowledged the heavy toll this involvement has taken on Pakistan, citing it as a reason for the country’s tarnished reputation.

India has not yet officially responded to Asif’s provocative remarks. Following the Pahalgam attack, New Delhi announced stringent measures, including suspending the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960, closing the Attari Integrated Check Post, and revoking SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme privileges for Pakistani nationals, who were given 48 hours to leave. The strength of diplomatic missions in both countries was also reduced.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed that the perpetrators and their conspirators would face severe consequences, asserting that the resolve of 1.4 billion Indians would dismantle terrorism’s remaining strongholds.