Pahalgam terror attack LIVE: India suspends Indus Water Treaty
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says that those responsible for the “cowardly terrorist attack” on innocent citizens will soon get a strong response
India on Wednesday (April 23) suspended the Indus Water Treaty and announced downgrading diplomatic ties with Pakistan, including expulsion of its military attaches in view of cross-border links to the Pahalgam terror attack.
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) met this evening under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and firmed up the responses to the terror attack.
The CCS decided that 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, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said at a media briefing.
Orders closure of Attari Border
The Integrated Check Post at Attari will be closed with immediate effect, he said.
Those who have crossed over with valid endorsements may return through that route before May 1, he said.
Misri said, "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, he said.
India will be withdrawing its own defence, navy and 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 Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions," he said.
"The overall strength of the High Commissions will be brought down to 30 from the present 55 through further reductions, to be effected by May 1," he said.
Earlier, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that those responsible for the “cowardly terrorist attack” on innocent citizens will soon get a “strong response” to their nefarious acts on Indian soil.
Singh, while vowing a befitting reply, also said India will not only hunt down the people who perpetrated the attack but will also trace those “sitting behind the scenes” who had conspired to carry out the deadly act on Indian soil.
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Live Updates
- 23 April 2025 6:56 AM GMT
North American Punjabi Association condemns Pahalgam attack
The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) on Wednesday (April 23) expressed shock and sorrow over the terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.
In a strongly worded statement, Satnam Singh Chahal, Executive Director of NAPA, said the "cowardly act of violence" was an attack on the ideals of peace, unity, and humanity.
"This is not just an assault on innocent lives, but also an attack on the ideals of peace, unity, and humanity. My deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families who are dealing with unimaginable pain. We stand with them in this time of sorrow," he added.
Chahal wished a speedy recovery to those injured in the attack. "Our thoughts and prayers are with all those who are injured. I sincerely hope they receive the medical care and emotional support they need to recover fully and quickly," he said.
The North American Punjabi Association stands in solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir and commends the efforts of local authorities and emergency personnel who are working tirelessly to assist the victims.
Chahal emphasised the importance of international unity in confronting terrorism and safeguarding the values of democracy, tolerance, and human rights.
The organisation calls upon both national and international institutions to intensify their efforts to root out terrorism and support initiatives that promote harmony and coexistence.
23 April 2025 6:52 AM GMTPahalgam terror attack: Complete shutdown observed in Jammu
Several parts of Jammu region observed a complete shutdown on Wednesday (April 23) to protest the terror attack in Pahalgam, officials said.
Besides Jammu city, shutdown was observed in Reasi, Udhampur, Katra, Kathua, and Samba. Protests were held in several parts of Jammu city, with many protesters raising anti-Pakistan slogans.
The bandh brought normal life in Jammu city to a grinding halt. Shops and business establishments remained closed, and public transport was off the roads in response to the shutdown call given by several civil society groups and trade bodies.
Several educational institutions were closed, and attendance was lower than usual in government offices. The Jammu Bar Association also observed shut down against the killings.
The administration is in close touch with community leaders to maintain harmony. Additional deployments of police and paramilitary forces were made in vulnerable locations, while checkpoints were set up to monitor movement, officials said.
- 23 April 2025 6:43 AM GMT
Sanjay Raut blames BJP's 'politics of hate' for Pahalgam terror attack
Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday claimed the ruling BJP's "politics of hate" was responsible for the terror attack in Jammu Kashmir's Pahalgam in which 26 persons were killed.
Talking to reporters, Raut alleged that Amit Shah was a "failed home minister" and demanded his resignation.
Terrorists struck at a prime tourist location in Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday, killing at least 26 persons, mostly tourists, and injuring several others. The deceased included two foreigners -- from the UAE and Nepal -- and two locals.
The family members of some of the victims claimed terrorists asked their religion before shooting them down.
Asked about it, Raut said, "If terrorists ask for religion before killing people, then BJP's politics of hate is responsible for it." The politics of hate will "boomerang" someday, the Rajya Sabha member claimed.
"No one else is (responsible for it). This is a result of the hate that is being spread from West Bengal to Jammu Kashmir," he charged.
They (referring to ruling coalition leaders) are busy 24 hours in forming and toppling governments and putting opposition leaders in jail. How will they protect people? Raut said.
"Amit Shah is a failed home minister in the history of the country. The entire country is seeking his resignation. He has no right to occupy that post even for a day," he said.
Raut claimed the government will carry out a "surgical strike" and do politics as the Bihar elections are around the corner.
Targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah, Raut said after demonetisation, the PM said this exercise will end terrorism in the country. But, the instances of terror attacks are increasing and they are "lying" in Parliament (about terror-related incidents), he alleged.
They don't allow information about the incidents to come out in public, Raut claimed.
- 23 April 2025 6:31 AM GMT
Security beefed up at India-Nepal border in UP's Maharajganj
Security has been heightened along the India-Nepal border in Sonauli here in the wake of the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, officials said on Wednesday.
The Uttar Pradesh Police, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), and intelligence agencies are working in tandem to prevent the possible movement of terrorists, and strict identity checks are now mandatory at all border crossings, Superintendent of Police (SP) Somendra Meena said.
"We are on high alert and conducting thorough checks of suspicious individuals and vehicles with the aid of dog squads in congested areas and along the border," Meena said.
He added that the security agencies are maintaining round-the-clock vigilance along the 84-km stretch of the India-Nepal border in Maharajganj.
According to another official, CCTV and drone cameras have been deployed at all SSB posts and on the main roads leading to the border to secure the porous border and prevent infiltration.
Metal detectors are operational at Sonauli and Tuthibari outposts while specialised dog squads trained in detecting narcotics and arms have been deployed to counter smuggling, he said.
Collaboration with Nepalese security agencies has been intensified, he added.
- 23 April 2025 6:30 AM GMT
Intelligence failure led to Pahalgam terror attack: Owaisi slams Modi govt
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday alleged the Pahalgam terror attack was the result of an intelligence failure.
He demanded the Narendra Modi government to fix accountability over the incident saying the attack is more dangerous, condemnable and painful than the similar incidents in Uri and Pulwama. Speaking to reporters here, the Hyderabad MP strongly condemned the incident and expressed hope that the government will teach a lesson to all these terrorists and ensure justice to the families of victims at the earliest.
"The terrorists indiscriminately killed innocent people after asking their religion in Pahalgam. We strongly condemn this. We expect the government would take strict action. Another important thing is that this is also an intelligence failure," he said.
The Narendra Modi government should see to it that to what extent their deterrence policy is succeeding or not, he said.
The intention of the terrorists, who came from the neighbouring country is to spread terror and kill innocents here in India, he said.
"This is a painful incident and it is a massacre," Owaisi said.
The AIMIM stands with the families of victims of the incident and pray for the early wellbeing of those injured, he said.
He further said efforts (by some forces) were being made to inflict loss to the tourism industry in Kashmir.
- 23 April 2025 6:28 AM GMT
#WATCH | On the Pahalgam terror attack, NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule says, "It is our responsibility to bring back our people safely. We are in touch with the J&K Administration. I demand that airfare and railway ticket fares be subsidised to facilitate the return of our people." pic.twitter.com/uPJWSbduNn
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025 - 23 April 2025 6:27 AM GMT
Pakistan offers condolences
“We are concerned at the loss of tourists’ lives in an attack in Anantnag district. We extend our condolences to the near ones of the deceased and wish the injured a speedy recovery,” the spokesperson of the Pakistan Foreign Office said.
