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 Five support staff of the Service Advisors will also be withdrawn from both High Commissions," he said.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 12:00 PM GMT
TMC claims security collapse, blames Amit Shah
The TMC on Wednesday came down heavily on Union Home Minister Amit Shah, holding him “directly responsible” for the alleged security failure in the wake of the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
Senior leaders of the party condemned the incident and blamed it on “serious lapses” in intelligence gathering, surveillance mechanisms, and border vigilance.
“Amit Shah is answerable to the nation as Home Minister of the country. This is a colossal and unforgivable security and intelligence failure. He must resign,” TMC leader Kunal Ghosh claimed.
TMC MP Mahua Moitra posted on X, “Enough of the ‘All is well’ narrative for J&K. Stop peddling fake narratives & take concrete action so innocent citizens don’t lose lives.”
Referring to media reports suggesting that intelligence agencies had general inputs about militant movements ahead of the attack, West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu questioned the Home Ministry’s preparedness.
“Why were terrorists allowed to reach Pahalgam? Why didn’t the forces intervene to prevent this senseless massacre? This is Pulwama all over again. HM Amit Shah would be doing the nation a favour by resigning,” Basu posted on X.
Reacting sharply to the TMC’s criticism, BJP state president and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar accused the ruling party in West Bengal of politicising the tragedy during a time of mourning.
“The TMC will have enough time to do its cheap politics over dead bodies. But this is not the right time. The Centre and security agencies are doing everything to nab the culprits. The terrorists won't be spared,” Majumdar told reporters.
- 23 April 2025 11:58 AM GMT
Siddaramaiah slams Centre for 'intelligence failure'
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the terror attack was a “planned one” and pointed to intelligence failure on the part of the Central government.
He also said he had asked the team of officials dispatched to Jammu and Kashmir to hire a special plane to bring back tourists from Karnataka stranded there.
“I feel this attack was a planned one. Whoever has done it, I condemn it. Terror attacks should not happen. Whichever caste or religion they are from, it is still the taking of a life. This is a major terror attack, which the Karnataka government strongly condemns,” Siddaramaiah told reporters here.
He said he would not agree to any compromise on security and safety, and stressed that terrorists should be neutralised.
- 23 April 2025 11:56 AM GMT
High-pitched anti-Pakistan protests in Jammu
The Jammu region witnessed massive anti-Pakistan protests staged by mainstream political parties, socio-political and religious organisations on Wednesday, in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack.
The protesters burnt effigies of Pakistan and raised slogans demanding that a fitting reply be given to the neighbouring country, terrorists and their supporters in Jammu and Kashmir.
Congress workers clashed with police while seeking permission to take out a protest march in the city.
Led by BJP MLA Yudhvir Sethi, a joint protest march was taken out in the city's Satwari area by the saffron party, VHP, Bajrang Dal and other social organisations.
Raising slogans against Pakistan, its army chief, terrorists and their local support structure, the protesters demanded a befitting reply to the neighbouring country and its terrorist networks in Jammu and Kashmir.
They also burnt Pakistan's flag.
The Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI), Jammu Bar Association (JBA), All Jammu and Kashmir Transporters' Association and Jammu Traders Association, who had given a bandh call, also took out separate protest marches against Pakistan.
The Shiv Sena Dogra Front, Rashtriya Bajrang Dal and other organisations burnt tyres and Pakistan's flags.
"These were targeted killings. It is our demand that action should be taken against Pakistan and its local support base," Rashtriya Bajrang Dal chairman Rakesh told reporters.
Similar protests were held in Doda, Kishtwar, Reasi, Katra, Udhampur, Kathua, Samba, Banihal, Ramban, Poonch and Rajouri.
Most political parties, including the BJP, Congress, PDP and NC, expressed solidarity with those who lost their kin in the Pahalgam attack.
Several Muslim organisations, both jointly and individually, took out protest marches in Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar, Banihal and Udhampur.
They condemned the attack and demanded stern action against the perpetrators.
"We condemn this attack. It is un-Islamic. Islam does not allow innocents to be killed. We want the government to take stern action against the culprits," said Aijaz Khan, a leader.
Massive protests erupted in the border town of Rajouri, with people taking to the streets against the Pahalgam terror attack.
The protests were held under the banner of Mohan Sanatan Dharam Sabha Rajouri, with people calling for a final assault against terrorism.
- 23 April 2025 11:44 AM GMT
CPM seeks probe into all angles, including lack of security
The CPI(M) on Wednesday condemned the Pahalgam terror attack and demanded that the government probe all angles of the attack, including lack of security.
In a statement, the Left party also extended condolences to the families of those who were killed.
“Several people have suffered serious injuries in the attack. The CPI(M) extends wishes for their speedy recovery,” the party said.
“The perpetrators of the horrific crime must be apprehended and punished. The police and security forces are under the Central Government. The Central Government must leave no stone unturned in bringing the forces responsible for the dastardly attack to justice,” the CPI(M) said.
It said the perpetrators of the crime are the enemies of the nation and more so of the people of Kashmir. It is incumbent on the central government to probe all angles of the attack, including the lack of security in crowded tourist places, the CPI(M) said.
“The CPI(M) stands united with the people of India in this hour of tragedy against the extremist fundamentalist forces,” the Left party added.
- 23 April 2025 11:42 AM GMT
Amit Shah visits Pahalgam terror attack site
A day after terrorists shot dead 26 people near Pahalgam, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday visited the site and interacted with senior army and police officers.
Shah reached the Baisaran meadows in a helicopter and was given a briefing by security officials. The home minister was told about the sequence of events and the possible routes the terrorists took to reach the popular tourist spot, which is surrounded by thick pine forests, sources said.
Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Nalin Prabhat and GoC of the Army's 15 Corps Lieutenant General Prashant Srivastava were among the senior officers who were present at the site, which is around 110 km from Srinagar.
Shah also took an aerial view of the area.
Earlier, the home minister attended a wreath-laying ceremony for the victims of the terror attack at the police control room in Srinagar where he asserted that the country will not bend to terror and that those responsible for the killing of tourists at Pahalgam will not be spared.
Shah also visited Government Medical College (GMC) Hospital in Anantnag in the afternoon and met some of the injured admitted there.
The Home Minister was accompanied by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
