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 Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions," he said.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 11:26 AM IST
Amit Shah meets survivors
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday laid wreaths on the bodies of 26 people killed in the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, and assured the survivors that the perpetrators of the dastardly act would be brought to justice, officials said.
Shah laid the wreaths on the coffins of the victims of the terror attack at the Police Control Room here.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also paid their tributes to the victims, the officials said.
The Home Minister later interacted with families of the slain persons and other survivors of the attack.
He assured them the security forces would leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators of the deadly attack to the book, the officials said.
Shah arrived here within hours of the attack on Wednesday night and was briefed about the situation by Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat.
The Home Minister also chaired a security review meeting, which was also attended by the Lieutenant Governor.
Earlier, the bodies of victims killed in the gruesome terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam on Tuesday were brought here.
"We have received 26 bodies which were brought to the Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar in the wee hours (of Wednesday). The bodies will be moved to the police control room (PCR)," an official had said earlier.
At least 26 persons -- mostly tourists -- were killed by terrorists on Tuesday at the Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam in one of the worst terror attacks on civilians in Kashmir in the past many years.
- 23 April 2025 11:26 AM IST
3 Gujarat natives among 26 killed in attack
Three tourists hailing from Gujarat were among the 26 persons killed in a terror attack in Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district, officials said on Wednesday.
The Gujarat administration was in touch with the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir government to bring back the bodies, state Health Minister Rushikesh Patel told reporters.
Shailesh Kalathiya from Surat, Yatish Parmar and his son Smit Parmar from Bhavnagar were among the 26 persons killed in the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam on Tuesday, as per officials.
"Three persons from Gujarat -- two from Bhavnagar and one from Surat -- were killed in the attack, while two were injured. The victim hailing from Surat lived in Mumbai. We are in touch with the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir government to bring back the bodies. We have also started efforts to bring back other tourists who survived the attack," Patel said.
Kalathiya (44), belonging to Chikuwadi area in Surat city, shifted to Mumbai a few years back after he was transferred there, according to officials.
"Kalathiya's cousin told us that he shifted to Mumbai four years ago due to job transfer. He had gone to Pahalgam with his wife and two children. His wife and children are safe," Surat disaster management department's revenue officer Sajid Merujay said.
Yatish Parmar and his son Smit Parmer, residents of Kaliyabid area of Bhavnagar city, were a;sp among those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, district collector Manish Kumar Bansal said.
The two were among 19 persons from Bhavnagar who went to Kashmir on April 16 to attend religious preacher Morari Bapu's discourse there, according to sources.
- 23 April 2025 11:25 AM IST
IAF Corporal from Arunachal one of the victims of Pahalgam attack: CM Khandu
An Indian Air Force Corporal, hailing from Arunachal Pradesh, was one of the victims of the terrorist attack at Pahalgam in Jammu and Kashmir.
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said Corporal Tage Hailyang was visiting Pahalgam with his wife.
Reports said Corporal Hailyang was posted at the Indian Air Force base in Srinagar.
"Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Corporal Tage Hailyang of the Indian Air Force, a brave son of Arunachal Pradesh who hailed from Tajang village in Lower Subansiri. While visiting Pahalgam with his wife, his life was cruelly taken in a senseless act of terror," Khandu wrote on 'X'.
The chief minister said the officer served the nation with courage and honour, and his untimely death is a great loss not only to his family but to the entire country.
"Our thoughts are with his loved ones, especially his wife who survived this horrific incident. May they find strength and solace in this unimaginable time of grief. We will always remember Corporal Hailyang for his service and sacrifice," he said.
Terrorists struck at a prime tourist location in Pahalgam in south Kashmir on Tuesday, killing at least 26 people, mostly tourists, and injuring several others.
- 23 April 2025 10:50 AM IST
Over 50 tourists from Goa stuck in J-K after Pahalgam terror attack: Officials
More than 50 persons from Goa who were on a vacation to Jammu and Kashmir were stranded at hotels in Srinagar after the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam and efforts were on to bring them back, officials said on Wednesday.
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, according to officials.
The terrorists opened fire at tourists who were milling around eateries, taking pony rides or just picnicking at the Baisaran meadows in Pahalgam, touted as 'Mini Switzerland' for its serene beauty.
After the incident, all visitors were transported from Pahalgam and other places to hotels in Srinagar, a Goa government official said.
More than 50 persons from Goa were currently in Jammu and Kashmir, the official said, adding that "all are safe".
Efforts were on to bring them back, the official said.
Tour operators from Goa were also working out plans to bring all tourists back from Jammu and Kashmir.
One of the tour operators said a few of the tourists were scheduled to visit Baisaran point after food where the attack happened.
"A group of Goans was in Pahalgam market when the incident happened, while another group was in Sonamarg. All were called back to a hotel in Srinagar were they are currently safe," said Ahraz Mulla, co-founder of tour company Goa Adventure Club in Panaji.
Mulla said their firm had planned a trip for a group of 34 persons to Pahalgam and 12 to Jammu.
"Those in Jammu are stranded due to a landslide. They also cannot fly out from there as flights are running full capacity," he said.
A group that went to Pahalgam reached there on April 17 and was supposed to return on April 24. "Efforts are on to get them back immediately," Mulla said.
Daxal Naik, owner of Travel Bug Tours and Travels near Panaji, said a group of 26 persons whose visit to Jammu and Kashmir was facilitated by his company, was still stranded there.
"All of them have reached hotels in Srinagar. We are trying to bring them back as soon as possible," he said.
Naik said a group of tourists from Goa was having lunch at Pahalgam market when the attack happened.
"The tourists were scheduled to visit Baisaran point after having food where the attack happened," he added.
The group had left from Goa on April 21 and was supposed to return on April 26, he said.
The unavailability of seats in flights from Jammu and Kashmir has forced the tour operators to keep tourists in hotels there, Naik claimed, adding that efforts were on to bring them back by the earlier flight possible.
