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 Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions," he said.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 7:37 AM IST
Brutal crime has no justification: Putin
In a communication to President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin extended condolences over the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and said the "brutal crime" has no justification whatsoever and its perpetrators will face a deserved punishment.
He expressed "sincere condolences over the tragic consequences of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam whose victims were civilians — citizens of various countries".
Putin reiterated Russia's commitment to further increasing cooperation with Indian partners in fighting terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
"Please convey words of sincere sympathy and support to the near and dear ones of the deceased as well as wishes for a speedy recovery of all injured," he added.
- 23 April 2025 7:36 AM IST
US President Donald Trump conveys ‘deepest condolences’ to PM Modi
In a call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Donald Trump strongly condemned the terror attack and expressed full support to India to bring to justice the perpetrators of the "heinous attack".
He "conveyed his deepest condolences at the loss of innocent lives in the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a post on X.
"India and the United States stand together in the fight against terror,” said the post.
In an earlier post on Truth Social, Trump said, "Deeply disturbing news out of Kashmir. The United States stands strong with India against Terrorism." "We pray for the souls of those lost, and for the recovery of the injured. Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi, and the incredible people of India, have our full support and deepest sympathies. Our hearts are with you all!" he added.
- 23 April 2025 7:33 AM IST
#WATCH | Pahalgam | A tourist from Delhi, Sameer Bhardwaj, says, "We have been in Kashmir for the last three days. We had plans for Pahalgam, but since the situation is not good here, we are leaving for Delhi... What happened here is very wrong. Such a thing has happened in… https://t.co/GZH3X4g1n2 pic.twitter.com/0xlsVqIABc
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025 - 23 April 2025 7:30 AM IST
Families of victims deserve justice and our fullest support: Rahul Gandhi
Spoke with HM Amit Shah, J&K CM Omar Abdullah, and J&K PCC President Tariq Karra about the horrific Pahalgam terror attack. Received an update on the situation.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 23, 2025
The families of victims deserve justice and our fullest support. - 23 April 2025 7:15 AM IST
#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives in Delhi after cutting short his Saudi Arabia visit in view of the #PahalgamTerroristAttack in Kashmir
— ANI (@ANI) April 23, 2025
(Source - ANI/DD) pic.twitter.com/5WAk8kL0g5 - 23 April 2025 7:14 AM IST
I strongly condemn the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. All possible assistance is being provided to those affected.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 22, 2025
Those behind this heinous act will be brought…
