A wave of intense public outrage unfolded in Delhi on Thursday as demonstrators gathered outside the Pakistan High Commission in Chanakyapuri, protesting against the recent deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The attack claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, prompting a sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan.

Delhi sees tightened security near diplomatic premises

The diplomatic enclave in the capital saw heavy deployment of police forces as visuals captured hundreds of protestors outside the Pakistan mission. Barricades and crowd-control measures were put in place while authorities attempted to pacify the growing crowd.

The demonstration comes on the heels of the Indian government’s firm steps in response to the April 23 terror incident. Officials have squarely blamed Pakistan for sheltering terror outfits responsible for cross-border violence.

India responds with strong diplomatic measures

In a decisive move, India has revoked access to the official social media handle of the Government of Pakistan. Additionally, it has announced a suspension of the longstanding Indus Waters Treaty and expelled senior Pakistani diplomats, intensifying diplomatic pressure on Islamabad.

The Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, met yesterday to review India’s strategy. The panel endorsed wide-ranging actions, reflecting the gravity of the situation.

High commissions to operate with reduced staff

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed the decision to downgrade diplomatic missions in both nations. The Indian and Pakistani high commissions will reduce their personnel strength from 55 to 30 by May 1. All defence-related advisors from the Pakistani mission in New Delhi have been declared persona non grata and ordered to leave the country within a week. India will reciprocate by withdrawing its military advisors from its Islamabad mission, along with five support staff attached to those positions.

Public voices echo national unity

Speaking to the media, one protester urged unity among political parties on issues of national security: “When it comes to protecting the country, ideology should take a back seat. It is reassuring to see everyone united.”

As bilateral relations deteriorate further, the situation remains tense, with both sides bracing for extended diplomatic fallout.

An Indian Army soldier lost his life in the line of duty during a fierce gunfight between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Thursday. Gunfire erupted while security forces were conducting a cordon and search mission in the Dudu-Basantgarh belt.

According to official reports, the operation was initiated following credible intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the region. A joint team comprising personnel from the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police carried out the search.

In a statement posted on X, the Army’s White Knight Corps confirmed that contact was established with the terrorists, leading to a firefight. During the initial exchange, one soldier sustained critical injuries and later succumbed despite efforts to save him.

The search operation is still underway across the forested stretches of Basantgarh, with the region sealed off as forces work to eliminate the remaining threat.

This incident highlights the persistent security challenges in the region and the continued efforts of the armed forces to safeguard the area from insurgent threats.

India has launched a firm diplomatic and strategic response against Pakistan following the devastating terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that left 26 people dead, including a foreign national. Authorities have linked the attack to Pakistan-based group The Resistance Front, a proxy of the proscribed Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Major measures announced by India

A day after the attack, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), India’s highest decision-making body on national security, convened to assess the situation. Based on the investigation findings and identified “cross-border linkages,” a series of significant measures were unveiled:

Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty: The treaty, signed in 1960 and brokered by the World Bank, has withstood multiple wars between India and Pakistan. India has now placed the agreement in abeyance, halting the flow of water from the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej rivers to Pakistan. This move has the potential to severely impact water availability for millions in Pakistan.

SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme (SVES) visas cancelled: All SVES visas issued to Pakistani nationals have been revoked. Those currently in India under this scheme must leave within 48 hours. India will no longer issue such visas to Pakistani citizens.

Closure of Attari-Wagah border crossing: The Attari Integrated Check Post has been shut with immediate effect. Individuals already in India with valid endorsements can return to Pakistan via the same route only until 1 May 2025.

Reduction in diplomatic staff and withdrawal of defence advisors: Both countries will downsize their respective high commissions. India will reduce its personnel in Islamabad from 55 to 30. Defence officials, including naval and air advisers, have been declared persona non grata and must exit within a week.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri emphasized that these steps are intended to hold accountable not only the perpetrators but also those enabling terrorism. “The CCS resolved that justice will be pursued relentlessly,” Misri added, referencing the recent extradition of Tahawwur Rana as an example of India’s uncompromising stance.

Political and strategic context

Water Resources Minister CR Paatil lauded the decision to suspend the treaty, noting that such steps had been considered in the past, especially after incidents like the 2019 Pulwama attack. The treaty has long been viewed as a symbol of rare bilateral cooperation, but its suspension marks a dramatic shift, signaling India’s growing impatience with what it perceives as Pakistan’s continued use of terrorism as a state tool.

The move comes amid mounting warnings from water experts about Pakistan’s looming water crisis, driven by overpopulation, climate change, and mismanagement. The disruption in river flows from India could intensify that crisis, adding pressure on Islamabad.